http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2011/01/paladini-mikulic-sign Player: Josip Mikulic Position: Defender Height: 6’1” Weight: 185 lbs. Born: April 12, 1986 Place of Birth: Ljubuški, Bosnia-Herzegovina Citizenship: Croatian College: n/a Last Club: NK Zagreb (Prva HNL) How Acquired: Signed as a free agent Jan. 6, 2011 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Mikulić
Don't know him, but I love the "College: n/a" reference. I hope we see a lot more of that (with specific regard to American players.) Let's hope he's a good pickup. How's his Spanish?
Since I know nothing about him, I will give you my thoughts on this signing. Position: Defender This is good. We need a defender. Height: 6'1" A little taller would be nice but then again, that's what they said about Richie Williams. Weight: 185lbs. Thank God. I was worried they'd list him in kilos or stones or something I couldn't get my head around. Born: April 12, 1986 April 12. A typically solid day. He shares a birthday with . . . and Place of Birth: Ljubuški, Bosnia-Herzegovina Okay. Citizenship: Croatian Oh my. If CDLC doesn't play this guy Steve might have a thing or two to say about this. College: n/a Is n/a a BCS school? Last Club: NK Zagreb (Prva HNL) It snows there, right? Welcome to Chicago Josip! How Acquired: Signed as a free agent Jan. 6, 2011 Two down and 11 to go, right?
Played 5 games in 2010 (more than Castillo before he signed). http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/josip-mikulic/leistungsdaten/spieler_46061.html NK Zagreb is not the same as NK Dinamo Zagreb (the team that usually wins in croatia) http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/josip-mikulic/transfers/spieler_46061.html
Ouch. The transfer list says: From: Unemployed To: Chicago Fire Oh well, at least he is young. I have been encouraging this type of move, but I was thinking in terms of players at this level and at this age that played quite a bit more than he has. Let's hope Frank and Mike identified a good one.
Don't the Fire know anyone in Africa who can scout for us? Why don't we pursue some of these thousands of "no-name" talents that are finding there way into the first and second divisions of Europe? And I'm not talking about the kind that are already here going to college, I'm talking the truly talented ones who only want to play soccer.
Another bum that has been out of action before joining us, yay! Man Frank has a real hard on for these types of players.
The transfer window isn't open yet, so the only players we can bring in at the moment are "unemployed" free agents.
All I am saaayyying is giive peace a chance..... jebice!! I dont know if this guy is good or not but i would hope to think he is more solid than some of the crap DLC was bringing in from Central America
For starters the Fire has more than a few contacts througout Africa. It's a big ass continent, so get country specific, for instance I think it's a HUGE ass wast of time to scout in Djibouti, not mention you're scout would probably be shot there due to the government et al but I digress. Also, I'm assuming you don't know butttt.....tt 1. Because these players are not as cheap as you would think nor do they wanna come to the USA. The ones you could get are not worth the time. There's a reason why the Nigerian players in India and Malaysia are playing there and not anywhere else. USL clubs would pass on them. 2. They're first choice is Europe. 2nd & 3rd division clubs can and do pay as much or in many cases alot more than the Fire and it's a hell of alot easier to get papers to work in Europe than it is for the USA. 3. There is no "hidden talent" nowadays. Talent that may sprout up because someone is a late bloomer is different and it luck of the draw. There's plenty to bitch about with the Fire but this ain't the area in my opinion. They're prone to sign Central American players because believe it or not it's easier and cheaper not from a salary perspective but in regards to overall administration. Fonsos
In that case, does Nery Castillo have a brother that can stay onsides? Does Nyarko have a brother that can finish and doesn't fall over his own feet? We really are scraping the bottom aren't we?