Canadian Transfer/Trial Rumours

[Joe MacCarthy]

Thought I'd start a Canadian transfer rumour thread

If you have some news please paste a link that will confirm your info. Tks

Tks to mjoni and Stian Stryni at Vs for the headsup

Yet another transfer rumour from Scandinavia...
http://fotball.aftenposten.no/nyhetsarkiv/article.jhtml?articleID=87954

Ali Gerba was watched by Norwegian Brann and Dutch NEC Nijmegen in the latest match against Landskrona. Several top Swedish clubs are also said to be in the hunt. Rosenborg has earlier been named as well. Gerba has expressed his desire not to be relegated with GIF Sundsvall next season, and Sundsvall says they're fine with that as long as the price is right.
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Rumours today in the local press that Patrice Bernier might be going to Rosenborg (who lost 4-1 against Real Madrid yesterday, thus following Per M Hogmo who drafted him from Moss FK when he was coaching Tromso last year. Per M Hogmo is now the coach of Rosenborg. Rosenborg will have to call and rise the offer from Besiktas this summer of about 10 million norwegian crowns.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Winnipeg Fury at Vs for headsup

TIL goalie Knut Borch has had his contract extended until 2008. It looks less likely that Lars will be with Tromso in the new year.
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Lars Hirschfeld will probably be on the move again. Borch, regarded as the best goalie in Norway, got injured and was replaced by Lars now regarded as the best goalie in the Tippeligaen. Hopefully Lars can get a permanant gig somewhere after his great half year in Tromso.

More news of Ali Gerba (Sundsvall) being looked at by Brann. Sundsvall is being relegated and have no objections.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Ali Gerba is being looked at by recently promoted to top flight AIK (Swedish Allsvenskan) (1)

http://www.stonline.se/sport/index.php?action=visa_artikel&id=509020
http://www.svenskafans.com/fotboll/aik/artikel.asp?id=103425

Articles are in Swedish but needless to say AIK is looking and so are many other teams in Scandinavia.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Wenger watched Dutch talents
By Gerrit van Leeuwen - Created on 6 Nov 2005

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=323008&CPID=8&clid=&lid=2&title=Wenger

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has travelled to Holland in order to assess potential recruits for his Highbury squad.

The Gunners have fruitfully raided Holland in the past with the purchase of in-form youngster Robin van Persie, and Wenger has been watching his former club Feyenoord in action.

However, emerging talents Salomon Kalou and Jonathan de Guzman have also been put forward as prospective signings for The Gunners.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Rams take closer look at Hainault

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/4420680.stm

Derby manager Phil Brown feels trialist Andre Hainault did quite well in the reserves 2-0 win against Mansfield.

Hainault, 19, is a Canadian Under-20 international but is unattached and looking for a new club.

Brown told BBC Radio Derby: "The conditions weren't conducive to any sort of good football and the ball was in the air a lot of the time.

"You had to battle in the wind and he did reasonably well. We'll have another look at him in a game next week."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Stian Stryni at Vs

http://www.nordlys.no/sporten/til-magasinet/article1804129.ece

Lars may end up in Lerkendal

TRONDHEIM: RBK-coach Hogmo wont acknowledge it. But both Patrice Bernier and Lars Hirschfeld are wanted in Lerkendel next year.

RBK 1-1 TIL

All 21.258 spectators in Lerkendal Saturday knows why. Bernier and Hirschfeld were the dominating players on the pitch.

Bernier was making havoc on the midfield, run at least 10-15 kilometers and was brilliant with the ball. He was several classes above one of Aage Hareides (note: coach of Norway) most valued men: Jan Gunnar Solli.

Hirschfeld played another amazing match. Fantastic saves on the line, and was exceptional in deciding one-on-one situations.

A class keeper, says Rosenborg coach Per-Mathias Hogmo

It is Lars, Patrice and Ole Martin who pushes TIL forward in this match.

He wont tell if Rosenborg will go for these players the next season.

We have been in browsing mode until now. After the Real Madrid game (on Tuesday) we'll see what we'll do. All our players are under contract.

No-one in TIL will be suprised if Rosenborg during the next weeks will try to secure Lars and Patrice.

It's not impossible that RBK will put 20-25 million kroner (Besiktas offered 10 M) on the table for Patrice, says Bjorn Johansen (Veteran hero who retires after this season)

He is clear on this: TIL must stretch as far as possible to keep both Bernier and Hirschfeld.

We see it against RBK, and we have seen it before, these are players which holds a high level. Lars produces saves in the world class. And Patrice is just playing with Rosenborg (like stealing candy from kids). Of course it's important for Tromso to keep these players, but there are a limit to what one can say no to. (20 million?)

Another veteran, Morten Pedersen, says this:

TIL must do everything to keep Lars and Patrice. They are two of the most importants players we have.

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Rosenborg is closing in on Lars Hirschfeld, reports Adresseavisen today.

If we can believe the newspaper, Lars Hirschfeld is a clear first choice as second keeper Ivar Rønningen is leaving Rosenborg for Molde.

Local Tromsø newspaper sits on information that FC Lyn Oslo is closer than Rosenborg in their pursuit.

FC Lyn Oslo offers the first keeper spot, and UEFA-cup qualifying next year. (Rosenborg offers the second spot and no UEFA-cup or CL as they also just avoided relegation this season. That is if they don't win the Champions League, I'll have to see that before I believe it)

Hirschfeld's advantage (as a Canadian) is that he has a German passport, and thus doesn't count against the foreigner quota. (Not more than 2 players from Non-EU countries may be in the team, that is 2 including the players on the pitch and on the bench) This exact reason is why Daniel Torres (Costa Rica) left Tromsø just weeks after Stephen Ademolu arrived.

What counts against Tromsø's chances in keeping Lars is the fact that our head coach Steinar Nilsen has declined to continue coaching the club after this season. No new coach has been announced as of yet. The new coach will be the tenth coach in ten years.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Again, tks to Stian Stryni at Vs

Lillestrøm SK (LSK) is interested in Olivier Occean.

"Occean is still a target for us on the transfer market. We have about 12-14 forwards on our list", says LSK Manager Jan Åge Fjørtoft.

"Occean wants to go to a bigger league in the future, LSK could be a good leapboard looking at the table. As of now we haven't heard about other clubs which are interesting (not interested, my note)", says Lars Petter Fosdahl, Mr. Occean's agent.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Wow, can't recall such a busy week for Canadian players with most of it being positive, upward moves.

Lars Hirschfeld signs with Rosenborg (Norwegian Tippeligaen)
Kenny Stamatopoulos signs with Tromso (Norwegian Tippeligaen)
Keegan Ayre signs with Hibernian (Scottish Premier League)
Ali Gerba signs with AIK/IFK Goteborg (Swedish Allsvenskan)
Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault signs with St. Pauli (German Regionalliga Nord)
Marco Reda's contract expires with AaB Aalborg (Danish Superligaen)

Look for more moves to come in Scandinavia with Olivier Occean, Rob Friend, Patrice Bernier and Atiba Hutchinson looking to move up.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Andre over for Christmas

http://www.therams.co.uk/

Canadian centre-back Andre Hainault has had his stay with Derby County extended to Christmas.

The 19-year-old played in last week's private friendly against Mansfield Town and is due to face Liverpool in another behind-closed-doors match tomorrow.

"We've decided to take a longer look at Andre and he will be able to play in another two or three games," said Rams boss Phil Brown.

Hainault is an amateur player with Montreal Impact and represented Canada at the World Youth (Under-20) Championships in June.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to mjoni at Vs for translation

Rob Friend should be entertaining a few offers in the coming weeks. Friend finished fifth in league scoring, captured the League Cup, and Molde also won the promotion playoff to remain in the Norwegian Tippeligaen.

http://fotball.aftenposten.no/nyhetsarkiv/article.jhtml?articleID=89827

http://fotball.adressa.no/multimedia/archive/00030/friend_30935a.jpg
Rob Friend

Vålerenga (Norwegian champions) have been given permission by Molde to speak with Rob. Molde is said to be asking 10 million NOK (1.75 million CAD).

Vålerenga's trainer says the following:
Friend is young, tough and strong. He's also good with his head. This is important for us, because we most often play teams that hang back. It's good to have to have a tall, strong forward that can break through and create chances for others in the box.

Friend is considered as a replacement for Steffen Iversen.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Hold the bus. Ali Gerba may not be off to AIK as IFK Goteborg have put in another offer. This is the second time AIK has announced a signing before it was in the bag. Stay tuned.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to bouncer1860 and Marco07 at Vs

Looks like 1860 München Amateur Nic Ledgerwood is being scouted by Eintracht Frankfurt and FC Cologne and Vancouver Whitecap Geordie Lyall will be heading to a Swedish club for a trial.

[Joe MacCarthy]

FC Koln of Bundesliga 1 has been scouting Olivier Occean of Odd Grenland. Lillestrom of Norway is also in the hunt.

[Joe MacCarthy]

it's looking like Odd Grenland striker Olivier Occean will soon transfer to Lillestrom. Odd is asking around one million Euros, LSK offered 800,000 and they have come to an agreement somewhere around those numbers. Not yet confirmed.

It has yet to be decided what numbers Occean will be earning.

Looks confirmed from Lillestrom website
http://www.lsk.no/
Paco from Vs is reporting a transfer of 1.8 million Canadian

[Joe MacCarthy]

Rumours abound that Patrice Bernier might be going to Rosenborg following Per M Hogmo who drafted him from Moss FK while coaching Tromso last year. Per M Hogmo is now the coach of Rosenborg.

Articles in Norwegian
http://www.rbkweb.com/vis/4085
http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sport/tippeliga/rosenborg/article512551.ece

[Joe MacCarthy]

Confirms interest in Bernier
By Håvard Lindheim, 14 December 2005, 09:02

http://www.rosenborg.info/article/4087

Rosenborg has not taken an active part on the transfer marked so far this winter, but it is believed that a new midfielder is on the shopping list. Tromsø's Patrice Bernier is guessed to be high up on the list.

http://www.canadasoccer.com/images/media/bernier_hs.jpg
Patrice Bernier

All autumn it has been speculated that Per-Mathias Høgmo plans a reunion with the Canadian international that he bought to TIL in July 2004.

"He is the best midfielder in the Tippeliga. He gives us a new dimension with his play, where he can feint off a couple of players and create unbalance for the opposing side. He is good with the ball, has a good overlook and makes good passes," Høgmo stated at that time.

Rosenborg has, however, not wanted to comment upon any name at all this time. Still, the club's new assistant coach Knut Tørum now confirms that RBK has Bernier on their list, Moss FK Supporter Club Kraakevingen writes on their home page. Tørum is supposed to have mentioned this to Moss Sports Director Ralph Bakken.

Moss, on their hand, would love Tromsø to sell Bernier, since they're secured 25% of the transfer fee. In that aspect, the 1st division club despaired when the Northerners this July declined a €1,28 million bid from Besiktas.

In other words, also a transfer to RBK can be blocked by sky high demands from Tromsø. Patrice Bernier himself is more positive:

"If Rosenborg shows concrete interest, and want me, I will of course have to consider that. Rosenborg is a big club with 25 good players. And they are about to pick a new generation of players for the coming years, too," the 26-year old from Montreal says.

The midfielder is under contract with Tromsø until 31.12.2007. As was the case with Lars Hirschfeld, he is "cup tied" and won't be able to play for RBK in the UEFA Cup this season.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Ceres at Xtratime for headsup and translation

Atiba Hutchinson on his way to FCK?

http://expressen.se/index.jsp?a=500833

According to the Swedish newspaper Expressen, The Scandinavian champions FC København have made a €1 million bid on Atiba Hutchinson, who has told Helsingborg IF that he's not going to renew his contract.

[Joe MacCarthy]

FC Copenhagen have confirmed the signing of Norwegian international defender Brede Hangeland.

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=354082&cpid=94&CLID=&lid=12&title=FCK+clinch+Hangeland+signature&channel=scandinavia

However, FCK stole a march on Kevin Blackwell and Neil Warnock in the pursuit of the Viking player with the Danes confirming on Monday that the 24-year-old has signed a three-and-a-half year contract.

It has been a busy day for the Danes who have also confirmed the capture of another defender, Helsingborg's Canadian international Atiba Hutchinson.

The 22-year-old Hutchinson has signed a four-and-a-half year deal and will further bolster the Danish league leaders.

http://tinypic.com/kda2b6.jpg
Atiba (on the left) with new coach and teammate

The transfer fee is rumoured to be 1.5 million CDN.

Tks to Ceres at Xtratime, mjoni at Vs and DanCan at BS for additional info

Other links
http://www.fck.dk/
http://www.bolddk.com/nyt/?vis=52628
http://www.hif.se/shownews.asp?newsid=1151

[Joe MacCarthy]

MLS' New Jersey MetroStars coach Mo Johnston has put in a discovery claim on a Canadian national team player and is waiting to hear from the league. The player in question is Adrian Serioux, formerly of Millwall.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Ed at Vs for reports.

Looks like future Canadian CMNT prospect Nik Ledgerwood will now start for Bundesliga 2's 1860 München after the break. He has toiled in the team's amateur system for several years.

The Munich coach has praised Nik calling him tactically and technically outstanding.

[Joe MacCarthy]

MLS' New Jersey MetroStars coach Mo Johnston has put in a discovery claim on a Canadian national team player and is waiting to hear from the league. The player in question is Adrian Serioux, formerly of Millwall.Tks to Andrew W at Vs for headsup
http://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2JmZnYmVsN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk2ODgwMTYx

Canadian Adrian Serioux is the real deal and will start in defensive midfield if the Metros sign him as expected.

The real concern for Johnston is left back, where there is no established player on the roster. Canadian Ante Jazic is the player Johnston would like to sign, but issues with Jazic's last club have delayed his arrival.

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Ante Jazic is a Halifax area native presently playing with Kuban Krasnodar (who just missed promotion to the Russian top tier) Previously he enjoyed a successful stint with Rapid Vienna and may be looking to go back to Austria.

He's been plagued by injuries with Kuban and was horrificly misdiagnosed by a Russian doctor and later was properly diagnosed by a Canadian physician at a Canadian team camp.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Rumour posted at Impactsoccer (without much verification) has Montreal Impact and Canadian Number One keeper Greg Sutton going to Sandefjord or Stabaek of the Norwegian Tippeligaen.

Also looks like Austrian bound (with Canadian NT) Adrian Serioux will soon be signed by the Metrostars.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to guys at BS for headsup

Soccer America is reporting young Canadian International Will Johnson trialling at SC Heerenveen in the Ere Divisie (top tier of Holland)

http://www.socceramerica.com/article.asp?Art_ID=562136990

WILL MOVES ON

Canadian youth international Will Johnson is on trial at Dutch club Heerenveen, following the termination of his contract by the Fire last week.

Johnson, 19, was born in Toronto but grew up near Chicago and played for Sockers FC before signing with MLS in February of last year. He played 162 minutes in six games and scored one goal.

The Fire picked up his option for the 2006 season, yet this winter he was asked to sign a developmental contract to replace the contract under which he played last year, at a salary of $28,000, and refused.

Canadian coach Frank Yallop called him up for Canada's friendly with Austria last Wednesday, and he came on as a sub in the 84th minute of a 2-0 victory.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Impactsoccer is reporting that Greg Sutton has confirmed the team he is negotiating with is IK Start of the Norwegian Tippeligaen.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Some more background on Will Johnson (it is a bit old though)

Frisians trial Canadian
By Simon Fudge - Created on 7 Mar 2006

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=369197&CPID=9&clid=&lid=25&title=Frisians+trial+Canadian

http://i2.tinypic.com/rhq39w.jpg
Heerenveen have handed a week-long trial to Canadian international striker Will Johnson.

The 19-year-old arrives at the Abe Lenstra Stadion after opting not sign a new contract with American Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire.

The Toronto, Ontario-born youngster comes to the Eredivisie side on the recommendation of Heerenveen's American midfielder Michael Bradley - himself a former MLS player with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars.

Johnson played six times for the Fire last season, and also appeared for Canada's Under-20 side at last year's World Youth Championships in Holland.

The striker has since earned three caps in Frank Yallop's full Canada squad, with the latest being a late substitute appearance in last Wednesday's 2-0 friendly over Austria in Vienna.

Johnson's agent Barry MacLean told skysports.com that the talented teenager is available on a free transfer and it remains to be seen if Heerenveen boss Gertjan Verbeek will offer the Canadian a deal.

Fire President & CEO John Guppy was disappointed to lose the services of Johnson after the player refused the offer of a developmental contract with the American Midwest club.

"We are disappointed that Will is leaving the Fire," Guppy told the Fire's official website.

"We believe he could have had a bright future with our club, however, he was adamant about securing a Senior Roster spot as opposed to a Developmental slot.

"When we looked at the depth of talent on our Senior roster, this was simply not a realistic option."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to An Observer at Vs for headsup

Molde's Rob Friend who has shown well for Canada recently vs the US and Austria is rumoured headed to promotion candidates (up to the EPL) Crystal Palace.

This was reported in the Observer's Tales from the Tabs.

There is a thread in the CP fansite forum regarding it here
http://www.cpfc.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=128221

[Joe MacCarthy]

The real concern for Johnston is left back, where there is no established player on the roster. Canadian Ante Jazic is the player Johnston would like to sign, but issues with Jazic's last club have delayed his arrival.[/B]

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Ante Jazic is a Halifax area native presently playing with Kuban Krasnodar (who just missed promotion to the Russian top tier) Previously he enjoyed a successful stint with Rapid Vienna and may be looking to go back to Austria.

He's been plagued by injuries with Kuban and was horrificly misdiagnosed by a Russian doctor and later was properly diagnosed by a Canadian physician at a Canadian team camp.Tks to Champs at Vs for headsup
Looks like Jazic is now trialling with the New York Red Bulls of MLS

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20060322&content_id=54275&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Jordan at Vs for Sky headsup

More on Rob Friend to Crystal Palace

Palace want Molde's friend
By Kent Hedlundh - Created on 23 Mar 2006
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=373612&CPID=10&clid=&lid=4&title=Palace+want+Molde's+friend

Championship club Crystal Palace are eyeing Molde FK striker Rob Friend.

The Canadian is out of contract at the end of the season and Palace are reported to be willing to pay €1 million (£700,000) for the player's services.

However, as yet no offer has been made to Molde and the club are still considering how much they want for the player.

"We are considering what is serious but we haven't heard anything from Crystal Palace," stated Molde director Tarje Nordstrand Jacobsen.

The player himself is trying to ignore the speculation but admits that he has a desire to play in one of Europe's top leagues.

"All I can do is play well and do my best for Molde," he told Romsdal Budstikke.

"But my goal has always been to join a big club in Europe."

More info in Norwegian
http://www.dagbladet.no/sport/2006/03/23/461578.html
http://pub.tv2.no/nettavisen/sport/tippeliga/molde/article591735.ece
http://fotball.fvn.no/nyhetsarkiv/article.jhtml?articleID=95407
http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=124307

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Ben Lauden at Vs for headsup

Roda eye de Jong
By Jeffrey Glorie - Created on 23 Mar 2006
http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=373722&CPID=9&clid=&lid=25&title=Roda+eye+de+Jong

http://images.skysports.com/images/playerpics05_06/holland/roda/dejong_marcel.jpg
Roda JC are interested in signing Canadian Marcel de Jong from Helmond Sport.

De Jong, a Canadian youth international, has impressed watching scouts at Roda enough to tempt the club into making a move for the 19-year-old.

"I expect that both clubs will make an announcement this week," the player's agent Alex Kroes told Voetbal International.

"Marcel really wants to make the step up and I assume Helmond Sport will ask for a reasonable transfer fee."

De Jong has a contract with the Eerste Divisie club until 2008.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for headsup

Town issue 'hands off' warning
27 March 2006
http://www.eadt.co.uk/content/eadt/sport/story.aspx?brand=EADOnline&category=IpswichTownFC&tBrand=EADOnline&tCategory=zSport&itemid=IPED27%20Mar%202006%2007%3A29%3A45%3A730

GET lost, Alan Curbishley - you can't have any more of our players.

That is the message loud and clear from Portman Road today after the Charlton manager ran the rule over Ipswich Town's latest crop of exciting talent on Saturday.

The Addicks boss is understood to be preparing a summer swoop for three of Town's stars but will be told to forget it when an approach is made.

Irish duo Owen Garvan and Shane Supple are believed to be high on his list but Canadian international defender Jason De Vos is also understood to be a target....

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Sigma at Vs for finding story

Luton eye Rushden youngster
By Dan Collier Date: 29/3/2006
http://lutontown.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=936&p=2&stid=8407075

It has been reported Luton Town (2nd tier) are currently watching 19-year-old Rushden & Diamonds (4th tier in relegation territory) midfielder Simeon Jackson. The young Jamaican is a Canadian Under-21 international and has already attracted interest from Premiership sides...

Jackson has recently broken through into the Rushden first team after impressing for the reserves. He's made 5 appearances from the bench and two starts this season, scoring four times.

He has already had trials at Manchester United and Manchester City, and now Luton Town are believed to be following his progress.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Loud Mouth Soup, masster, thepatriot and MegasAlexandros at Vs for headsup

Latest rumours have Rene Simoes being hired as the new Canadian Men's NT coach.

Chelsea looking at JDG2
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/story_pages/sport/sport3.shtml

The Blues are also showing a keen interest in Canadian midfielder Jonathan de Guzman.

Arnesen has made several trips to watch de Guzman, 18, play for Feyenoord this season.

He has four goals in his 29 games for the Dutch club and would cost around £2m. De Guzman said: "For me, Chelsea's interest is a matter of big pride. I want to progress in football and, for a Canadian, England would be like a second home."

Also rumoured is Tam Nsaliwa of Panionios in the Greek Super League transfering to AEK Athens and Kevin Harmse about to sign with the LA Galaxy.

http://forums.soccerfansnetwork.com/showpost.php?p=808051&postcount=73