zwei deutschen Bundesligisten = two German Bundesliga clubs, but it would have been for their youth/second teams.
Ok that's what I was thinking as well, he would be playing for the U-23 team anyway. I think Germany is the next logical step but doesn't really matter right now.
According to the club's website Gatt is currently in Norway for medical tests. Molde FK Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who played and worked 14 years at ManU saw him playing when Altach won against Admira. Gatt will back in Austria on Thursday for negotiations with the club.
On the small Altach message board, the posters sound pissed. They can't understand why Altach would sell him now unless they were getting a great offer or they were obligated to do so because of a buy-out clause in Gatt's contract. Either way, it's heartening to know that he has developed into such a key player after only half a season.
Here's the source article from the club's website: Joshua Gatt zu medizinischen Tests in Norwegen Any chance a German speaker could give us a full translation? (it's only 4 sentences) I'm particularly curious about the "early termination agreement" part.
Der 19-jährige Offensivspieler des CASHPOINT SCR Altach weilt derzeit, wie es das FIFA Regulativ vorschreibt, zu medizinischen Tests beim Norwegischen Erstligisten Molde FK. Die beiden Clubs sind sich bezüglich einer vorzeitigen Vertragsauflösung soweit einig. Josuha wird bereits am kommenden Donnerstag aus Norwegen zurückerwartet. Erst nach dessen Rückkehr wird definitiv über einen Wechsel entschieden werden. 19 years old offensive player of Altach is currently - as FIFA rules regulate - at Norway's first division Club Molde FK. Both clubs agreed to an early termination of the contract. Gatt is expected to back on Thursday. Not till his return it will decided if he will switch.
It's a good question, as they are chasing promotion and Gatt is one of the top players on the team. But I mentioned on the YNT forum that, at more than half way through the season, Altach is in 2nd place with a 10-point gap over the next team below them. So they are probably willing to gamble now that they can sell Gatt (supposedly a pretty lucrative offer) and still get promoted just the same.
If Altach gives the green light, I say go Josh and don't look back. Molde has earned quite the reputation, in recent years, of developing quality talent. After selling Mame Biram Diouf to Man United they struggled a bit but the hiring of Solskjaer is a big bonus. Molde's roster is definitely chalked full of young developing talent (Pape Paté Diouf, Mame Mbar Diouf, Emil Johansson, and Vegard Forren) and with Ole's experience naturing young talent as Man U's reserve coach it's a win-win situation. Josh has been one of the biggest YA stories this season. Signing with Molde FK, in a better league with a Man U legend who's a developing talent as a coach, is just icing on the cake. I'm super stoked if this move really happens.
It's not impossible to turn an Olympics gig into a spot on the WC squad. Aim high ,reach for the stars ,etc.
Fergie has a great relationship with this club. He's brought some of their players to train with Man U's first team last season. Gunnar has been influential in a lot of Sir Alex's decisions in Scandanavia. They had a press conference last year where they talked about building a long relationship together in what sounded like developing talent for the biggest stages of them all. Its always nice to have a coach with connections. Gatt may never play for Man U, or may who knows, but the fact that support is there from one of the better development systems in England is nice.
Also, For what its worth though his situation reminds me a lot of Charlie Davies. He's a "young 19" meaning he'll be 19 until August. He has at least 2-3 more years to grow before Nats fans can ask anything more of him. He's a scorer as well. A player like this is why I never try to figure out the 2014 WC lineup. He's put himself on Bob's radar by flat out performing. The fact that he's with Gunnar gives me hope that his ceiling isn't going to top out anytime soon.
Damn, pretty harsh. Didn't know that. I guess Altach would do well then to jump on the offer if the price is right.
Here's an article from the Austrian press on the potential transfer: Altachs Gatt zieht nach Norden And here is one from the Norwegian press: MFK henter amerikaner? Says that Molde is "very close" to signing Gatt and that they don't know what the transfer fee would be.
„Jungen mit dem Turbo“ --- oddly, virtually the same nickname as Sal Zizzo had (TurboZizzo). If this goes through - and it seems like a done deal - it's almost a perfect career path for the guy. And a fairy tale.
Big ups to Josh Gatt who just transferred to Norweigan club Molde FK. http://topdrawersoccer.com/supereli...ves/nid-19499/Josh-Gatt-transfers-to-Molde-FK He could be the future of American Soccer!
Sounds like its going through this article says the two clubs have agreed on a transfer fee. http://www.volksblatt.li/?newsid=53324&src=vb®ion=re
For me, this is the most exciting winter transfer thus far for YA's. Why? Because it seemingly comes out of left field and puts Gatt in another top notch situation. I couldn't be happier for the kid. His last 6-12 months have certainly been a dream come true. Based on what little I've seen, via streams, he's very talented and plays wise above his age. Congrats to him!!
I think it's one of the best stories of the 2010-2011 season. He's only been with Altach for about 6 months or so and he's already transferring! I didn't see this coming when he first signed. Give credit to Altach for giving him a chance. What are the chances of streams for Molde games? EDIT: Sounds like they had a press conference today Gatt was introduced a long with some other players (Norway is 6 hours ahead of EST) http://www.vg.no/sport/fotball/norsk/1-divisjon/artikkel.php?artid=10013171
Re: Josh Gatt transfers to Norway Is Molde in the first division? If so, that's great news for Gatt. And all at the age of 19, right?
Re: Josh Gatt transfers to Norway Wow. This is quite a rise by the kid- best of luck to him and I hope all the connections of his new coach help him move up even more in the future. I wonder how Molde's (quite a few puns there for thread titles if anyone wants to take a crack) schedule lines up with the U-20 qualifying and tournement this summer. They play summer ball there, right? I'd think this move rules out Josh for this summer. That's too bad for Rongen and the U-20s, but good in the larger sense that Josh will hopefully be getting first team minutes in Norway instead of playing in a youth tournement. Cheers, and GOOD LUCK JOSH!