Cameroon defender Bikey on trial

[soccer krazy]

this player is currently on trial with reading and from the few that i have heard he is a talented young player.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/r/reading/5241928.stm

[ChancellorElmer]

The Royals are also set to hand a trial to Lokomotiv Moscow defender Andre Stephane Bikey.

The Chronicle has learnt that the 21-year-old Cameroon player will join up with Coppell's squad during their week-long tour of Sweden.

The powerfully-built Bikey is likely to be involved in at least one of the three friendly matches Royals have lined up against Gallstads FK tonight (Thursday, 7pm), Lanna GoIF on Saturday (4pm) and Orgyte IS next Tuesday (7pm).

The bit of infor comes from the local newspaper in Reading.

Here's the link: http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/0275readingfc/0100news/tm_objectid=17511745%26method=full%26siteid=50102%26headline=reading%2dturn%2dup%2dthe%2dheat%2dover%2dmensah%2dmove-name_page.html

They mention Bikey near the bottom of the article.

If he impresses, perhaps they will look to sign him long term. He's young and could provide a good backup to the defenders in the first XI.

[English_Gent]

Would be glad if this guy signs simply because it opens up a whole world of bikey/pikey jokes

[mschofield]

Did I read that he played on the right side for Murty? I mean, yes, I read that, but is that his natural position? Or, at least, can he play there? I thought, initially, he was a cb.

[prvev]

I think he's naturally a cb. I don't know who else was playing in the match, but that may have been what forced him to play on the outside.

[mschofield]

Wow, a seemingly quality player, versatile and desparate to play for Reading (or at least escape moscow) and he plays two and a half games well then ... a headbut, out of nowhere (oaky, a challenge, but still).

Is he off then? Too bad. He looks like a player, but I don't know that Coppell see's much upside in an actual hothead.

But good performances at cb, rb and holding mid...

[prvev]

I don't know, Coppell has said he doesn't know either way and that he'll have to "speak with the staff". I'm hoping they do hold onto him just because of his versatility and because he has apparently played well in his chances. I think it would have been great for him to have at least played against Feyenoord to see how he does against better competition. But if he does have anger problems and a tendency to pick up cards, that would certainly be something to take into account. I'd guess Coppell knows more about his past and his time with Lokomotiv (I really don't know how much he played for their first team), so possibly he could look back at statistics or something from those games (even if they were with reserves) and see how much he did get carded and if things like this happened regularly.

[rms5555]

Is that what the off-the-ball incedent was? A head butt? Pretty silly for a man on trial. It doesn't look good for him with Coppell saying "It's inexcusable and it's not what Reading players do."

[ChancellorElmer]

Coppell says they are definitely not going to put in for a transfer on Bikey, but he may still come over on a loan.

It's toward the bottom of this article.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375652&cc=5901

[mschofield]

Coppell says they are definitely not going to put in for a transfer on Bikey, but he may still come over on a loan.

It's toward the bottom of this article.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=375652&cc=5901
And last I saw it was waiting on a work permit, so has it officially happened?

checked and the latest I found was a couple days old, but this is what it says, also notes that bikey has a spanish wife, so a WP is not an issue. He was a frequent starter for lokomotiv, from what I can see, btw, including CL games, most often in a d-mid role. Nice pickup.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/sport/readingfc/2003/2003239/bikey_ready_to_join_on_loan

[Pablo Chicago]

Nice pickup.
As long as he can keep the head-butting to a minimum. ;)

[Pablo Chicago]

Bikey, De La Cruz, and a few others...

Before the window closes (http://icberkshire.icnetwork.co.uk/printable_version.cfm?objectid=17618055&siteid=50102)

If Reading fail to get Kilgallon it is believed they will turn their attention to Millwall's promising youngster Marvin Elliott, 21, who would cost around £500,000.

[mschofield]

I'd like to see both Bikey and Cruz signed before this weekend. From what I've seen on Bikey, he's more of a midfielder than a defender, but can play both roles. Cruz can play along the right side and in the middle, as well, right?

A true cback would be the last piece, love for it to be kilgallon, but how much would that take, 2.5m, 3m?

[English_Gent]

De La Cruz signs a one year contract

Bikey is now having a medical and if passed will join on a season long loan

[mschofield]

De La Cruz signs a one year contract

Bikey is now having a medical and if passed will join on a season long loan
Bikey creates two deep in central midfield, and adds depth across the backline. cruz is a positive on the right.
Two good players, adding a grand total of $0 to transfer fees paid out this year.
I hope it means there's money for one more, very good player. (and time). Kilgallon would fit the need.

[Pablo Chicago]

Too bad De La Cruz isn't match fit yet. We could use him tomorrow.