Sorry for those expecting a JOB update, but I just wanted to say, don't get your hopes up. He's said in the past that he would like to move on to a bigger league (meaning not MLS) and before his injuries he was getting looks from Germany. If he signs for another year, he would probably see it as a chance to showcase himself to bigger European clubs. If not, I think he would probably go on trials, ala Mathis, before considering MLS.
i am unfamiliar with any official offers from germany - the club that was the hottest after JOB was barcelona as for even mentioning MLS as a possibilty... its pure fantasy and a complete joke that USMNT fans even would want that
I believe a couple of Serie A clubs were interested, but after the 2002 Italian debacle the interest died down.
Sampdoria was another, and for some reason I think Udinese. I'm not sure the interest was more than the famed "O'Brien looks interesting", but I do remember Samp saying something.
O.k., I'd say you pretty strongly implied it by saying how stupid I was to suggest that training can contribute to injuries, but let's just chalk this one up to miscommunication and move on, shall we? I know everyone else will be grateful. It would seem that we've reached the common point we probably started from that training and accidents both contribute to injuries, so it's not a bad question to ask which of these is the biggest part in this case. Cool. Too bad none of us know enough about JOB's experience to have a sense of where his injury future is going. G.
There was an article somewhere on the internet from 2 years ago, stating that a Leverkusen scout was allegedly following JOB as they weren't sure if they could re-sign Ze Roberto. It went into Bayer's problems with Donovan, but that they might be willing to take a chance on another American as he had already established himself in Europe. I remember thinking of how well JOB must be rated to be considered as a potential replacement for Ze, if only as a rumor topic.
wow, didnt know that - if JOB did have to leave for a new challenge, that would be a very interesting destination - i could see him enjoying some success there
http://www.ajax-usa.com/news/2003-2004/contract-extension-until-2005-for-john-o-brien.html If this sight is reliable, it looks like the contract extension is a done deal.
yeah you can trust www.ajax-usa.com but here's the official... get out your babelfish http://www.ajax.nl/home/
For a team that is committed to youth, it is pretty sweet that JOB is injured for most of his last contract year, and gets an extension. Of those that made their debut in 1999 only JOB remains. And for 2000, the list only includes: Abubakari Yakubu (66 league appearances) Bogdan Lobont (38) Rafael van der Vaart (90) Tomas Galásek (111) (from english.ajax.nl) Plus Pasanen and van der Gun, who are currently on loan. For a low budget team like Ajax to have success in Europe, they need a) everyone healthy and b) minimal changes in the squad. Unfortunately this year, they didn't have either. Hopefully guys like van der Vaart and Ibrahimovic will stay to make one more run at it. And of course a healthy O'brien would be nice.
Now that O'Brien's status with Ajax is determined... A one-year extension. Hmmm... Possibly a move to MLS at the end of the contract, ensuring he will be stateside during WCQ's.
Let's put it this way...I don't envy the job JOB's agent must have had since January 1. He has to sell his client to teams--a guy that's injured a lot. What club is going to put down good money without conditions, like Ajax did? This is a good set up for John--he has a season to get healthy, and then at the age of 27 try to sell himself again across Europe next winter/spring/summer.
Glad to see John sign an extension and end the drama. Ajax should be given credit by sticking with JOB through all his injury woes. That says alot about Ajax and their committment/faith that they have in JOB, that when healthy he's a vital part of their squad.
I really don't know. I don't know whether he's training with the first team or apart. What happens for the rest of this season is much less important than what happens with the Nats and with Ajax beginning this summer, though I'm sure it would be a great emotional boost (for John and his fans) if he could see some Ajax 1 action this season.
Re: Now that O'Brien's status with Ajax is determined... OH MY GOD!!! WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!?!?!?!?!?!