Reekie_Red Posted August 22, 2009 Report Posted August 22, 2009 Holy shit! Couldnae believe my eyes when I read this one!! Fantastic news for us if it means some reserve Espanyol players being shipped out to us on a regular basis! Clickey linkey Aberdeen tie up deal to sign up La Liga starlets from Espanyol Aug 22 2009 Ian Orr ABERDEEN last night struck a deal with Espanyol that will see La Liga talent pitching up at Pittodrie. Willie Miller brokered the exciting partnership with the Spanish outfit who will receive a percentage of any stars sold on by the Dons. Mark McGhee has already reaped rewards from that tie-up by landing former Espanyol and Parma defender Davide Grassi after he impressed on trial. The Italian will sign a one-year contract and will be in place against Hamilton today if they manage to complete the paperwork in time. Manager McGhee is also licking his lips at the prospect of working with players from the world's greatest league. McGhee, who has struggled to bring in new players because of financial restrictions, said: "The tie-up came about from a contact Willie had at Espanyol who said they wanted to send a couple of players over and start a relationship with ourselves. "Espanyol said they would make it easier for us to sign their players if we wanted to. "We hope this will be an ongoing relationship and it has been a really positive start." On Grassi, McGhee added: "The deal has to be financially right for us regarding Grassi but it looks as though that will be the case. He'll get a contract and as well as being physically right, he's a good player." The Dons have a major injury list that includes Zander Diamond and Gary McDonald and McGhee has pleaded for patience from fans who have already witnessed three straight defeats. He said: "It's ridiculous to say this game is must win - I am here for the long haul. "I will never be the best manager in this club's history, there is another hard act to follow, but I certainly want to make an impression and that does not happen in a day. "Change is needed within the squad and we will keep chopping away at it for however long it takes. If that involves winning at Hamilton then great, if not, we will get on with it. "Would I swap the Aberdeen job for the Hamilton job? Clearly not. They have brought money in while we have not but I know it is not going to happen overnight here. "The fans have to understand there is only a finite amount of money. "If I had a pile of money there would be a lot more change here but we do not so we have to take our time so everyone has to be patient. "We are not playing Celtic or Sigma, we are playing Hamilton and we should be at least be equal terms to them in terms of workrate. It will be a case of who works hardest will win the game." Lee Miller, linked with a move to Middlesbrough, insisted his priority is to put points on the board for Aberdeen. The striker said: "It was flattering to hear there was interest because even having your name connected to a team such as Middlesbrough is great from a confidence point of view. "But my priority is doing the job for Aberdeen and I want to do well for Mark McGhee and turn things around. "This is not a massive squad but it's a quality one and we have the players who can prove that starting at Hamilton." McGhee will meet an old foe today after Leon Knight signed a short-term deal at Accies. Striker Knight fell out with McGhee when he was at Brighton and has had contracts terminated by Wycombe and Rushden and Diamonds over a turbulent past 18 months. However, Accies boss Reid:"Leon has lost his way a bit but the flip side is that, if he was still banging in the goals regularly in England, we could not have afforded to get him. "It's a fresh start for him. He knows the situation and he has to get his head down. I'm sure he will. "Leon is only 26 and can prove to the doubters and himself he can be the player he promised to be." Quote
BrownyBrown Posted August 22, 2009 Report Posted August 22, 2009 How is our link with Jono Somo Cosmos or whatever going? Quote
Reekie_Red Posted August 22, 2009 Author Report Posted August 22, 2009 Point taken, MarkyMark. Actually, come to think of it, didn't we forge a deal with the Brisbane Roar footbal team back in Aitken's reign? Quote
Madbadteacher Posted August 22, 2009 Report Posted August 22, 2009 But Espanyol are a wee bit higher profile.....hopefully something will come of it! Quote
Mentorred Posted August 22, 2009 Report Posted August 22, 2009 Maybe we can send Mackie the other way. Quote
mizer Posted August 22, 2009 Report Posted August 22, 2009 We all know of the link ups off the pitch but has has this come about? Quote
TENEMENTFUNSTER Posted August 22, 2009 Report Posted August 22, 2009 We all know of the link ups off the pitch but has has this come about? Speaking of turning Mackie the other way . . . . Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.