For Immediate Release Contact: Jurgen Mainka, 303-299-1487 Wednesday, April 30, 2003 German Sferra, 303-299-1590 Midfielder Gilles Grimandi Reaches Agreement With MLS and Returns To France DENVER, CO (April 30, 2003)- The Colorado Rapids announce today that midfielder Gilles Grimandi has reached an agreement with Major League Soccer that allowes him to return to France. The agreement between the player and the League provides the Rapids with salary budget room for a top quality replacement player. Other details of the agreement where not disclosed. "The Colorado Rapids organization is deeply saddened by Gilles Grimandi's decision to return to France." Colorado Rapids General Manager Dan Counce said. "The player has cited family and personal reasons as the main factors influencing his decision to separate himself from the Rapids and MLS as of today. The Colorado Rapids, while disappointed by his choice, respect the player's personal freedom in making such a decision. Work to find a top quality replacement player has already begun." The Rapids signed Grimandi, 33 on January 7, 2003 as a discovery player. He played in one preseason game with the team on March 12 against Mexican club Santos Laguna in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It was a known risk going into this, but French players are just never going to support the tough black and blue image.
TERMS, I want to know Terms..... - how much of the previous ~$100k in expenditures was recovered?? - who did they sign over his paper to? FIFA? Arse? Le Championat? - total cash payments, from who, to who, and amounts. -bs
Chris Bergin of www.ussocceruk.com who broke the story four weeks ago that Grimandi was leaving has posted on the forums on that site that he'll be publishing "Grimandi's buy-out details". He mentioned a few weeks ago that three players are being looked at with Darly Powell of Sheffield Wednesday arriving at the weekend (this weekend) to look around the Rapids with his fiancee. As an Arsenal fan I'm bemussed by Gilles departure. It is totally out of character for him.