Dempsey reported to have agreed terms with Fulham pending permit, Adu not by ManU[R]

[spdough]

According to the Times this AM. Also mentioned in BBC Rumors section along with Adu failing his trial.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/default.stm

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,277-2478155.html

[peteo]

So what was a two weeks trial, with the reserves no less, turned out to be only one week? Well, nice try Freddy. :o

[thespian89]

So what was a two weeks trial, with the reserves no less, turned out to be only one week? Well, nice try Freddy. :o
Maybe we should wait for a more reliable source?;)

[Seanin]

"Failing his trial" is a bit much, isn't it? It was more a training stint - the kind MLS players do every year - but because it's Freddy and Man Utd, it gets all blown out of proportion. For reasons exhaustively explained on dozens of other threads, Freddy was never going to be signed after this stint no matter how brilliantly he performed.

[babytiger2001]

If the rumors are true and can be confirmed, looks like Chris Coleman has gotten his man. And one hell of a good move for Clint, with lots of "up" sides.

[luvdagame]

i thought that only players who are on a free transfer could be signed now. dempsey is under contract. don't they have to wait until the january window to sign him?

[babytiger2001]

i thought that only players who are on a free transfer could be signed now. dempsey is under contract. don't they have to wait until the january window to sign him?
True, but the Times article said that there may be delays due to work-permit issues. This gives time to get those resolved ahead of the transfer window, I would believe.

[schmuckatelli]

Neither web site quotes anyone at Fulham, nor does FulhamFC.com have anything on the signing. Of course, they're probably all hungover from celebrating their victory over Arsenal!

WRT Freddy, the "trial" period was elsewhere billed as "training," so it should not be totally surprising that ManU did not offer the 17-year-old a contract - they couldn't, since 1. he's too young to sign, and 2. he's currently under contract and the transfer window's not open yet.

[alocksley]

The Mirror? Come on. Since when does anyone listen to what that rag has to say?

[babytiger2001]

The Mirror? Come on. Since when does anyone listen to what that rag has to say?
Which is precisely why I cited the Times. ;)

[m vann]

i thought that only players who are on a free transfer could be signed now. dempsey is under contract. don't they have to wait until the january window to sign him?

No, players who are out of contract (i.e. have been released) can sign outside the window. Dempsey has either signed a pre-contract agreement committing to Fulham or is verbally committed. Either way he won't be eligible unilt the New Year.

[alocksley]

Which is precisely why I cited the Times. ;)

I was referring to the Freddy info. The Times didn't pick up the Freddy item, only the dempsy bit.

[MasterShake29]

i thought that only players who are on a free transfer could be signed now. dempsey is under contract. don't they have to wait until the january window to sign him?

They can sign him now, but he wouldn't be eligible to play until the window re-opens on January 1 (pending a work permit because it's the UK).

[Shibb]

They can sign him now, but he wouldn't be eligible to play until the window re-opens on January 1 (pending a work permit because it's the UK).

Is Adu no longer under contract with DC United? I thought his contract extended out and ManU (or anyone else) would have to make an offer to DC United which would be accepted by both club and player?

Aside: saw one of those new, sleek Bentley coupes easing down the road yesterday with vanity tags: MUFC MAN. I live in TampaBay area, so there's a decent chance it was one of the younger Glazers (couldn't see through the smoked glass). Maybe I should have cornered him to get "the scoop". ;)

[Sachin]

Adu's stint at ManU was a marketing ploy arranged by Nike. No more, no less.

[MasterShake29]

Is Adu no longer under contract with DC United? I thought his contract extended out and ManU (or anyone else) would have to make an offer to DC United which would be accepted by both club and player?

Aside: saw one of those new, sleek Bentley coupes easing down the road yesterday with vanity tags: MUFC MAN. I live in TampaBay area, so there's a decent chance it was one of the younger Glazers (couldn't see through the smoked glass). Maybe I should have cornered him to get "the scoop". ;)

Both Adu and Dempsey are under contract until next year (at least), so by sign I mean "have an offer accepted and agree personal terms".

[england66]

Adu's stint at ManU was a marketing ploy arranged by Nike. No more, no less.


the voice of reason

[Metrogo]

Adu's stint at ManU was a marketing ploy arranged by Nike. No more, no less.

Thank you.

[scarshins]

Adu's stint at ManU was a marketing ploy arranged by Nike. No more, no less.

They just may have been the organizing force for this, but that's a 100% cynical take on it. They get to see him, he gets to see them, and get a better idea of where he's headed. I think it's a good thing all around.

[JohnR]

When people wonder why Freddy is "hated," these kinds of things would be it. It's not the kid's fault, but he has been so packaged, presented, and spun by Nike, MLS, Sierra Mist, the peeps, and the media, that after a while you think you're seeing Dukakis commadeering a tank.