Confirmed from 2 sources: Pending final visa approval, flamboyant Nigerian international attacking mid Augustine Azuka "Jay Jay" Okocha set to join RSL . Okocha is a veteran of several World Cups and has played at Bolton, PSG, & Fenerbahce. Most recently Okocha has been at Qatar SC. More details HERE
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... Thanks for the news, FM. Any Qatar fans familiar with Okocha's form as of late? Is this our DP? Wikipedia says he scored five goals last season, but don't see assist info, etc... So who sits: Ballouchy or Williams? (Or do we sit Talley or sit Atiba, move Talley back to D-mid and put Ballouchy on the right?)
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... ... ... Well, I remember him being a skilled and quick player... in 1998. Now? After flaming out in Turkey and Qatar (!), I'm not sure what we're getting ourselves into. Will MLS provide him with a career renaissance? I am very skeptical about this move...
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... Great news - I hope this is true -- How about Ococha and Adu in the midfield with Ballouchy on the right -- Nice scoop FM
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... That was my exact thought when I first read this --- Did he really flame out in Turkey and Qatar? What's the history here --- what has he done lately --- It wasn't that long ago he was in the Premiership, unless I'm mistaken ---
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... Of course, we take the older players because they ARE the future of RSL..
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... Which brings up a good point. What is the purpose of this signing? We are not going to make the playoffs this year. Maybe he will help us win a couple of games. But I think I would rather have our younger players out there developing than some one that will be no help in us getting to the playoffs next year and beyond.
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... I don't think 63 games and 30 goals in two years at Fenerbahçe could be considered "flaming out" by any means.
Just last year he was an awesome player...and he is a member of the FIFA 100 Have no idea what he is like today though.
Jay-Jay? I hope this is true. If he is anywhere near fit RSL fans are in for a treat. He was and hopefully still is a very skilled player.
Some claim him to be the best African midfielder ever...amazing skills, I recommend anyone to look around on YouTube.
Best African midfielder ever? Michael Essien might have something to say about that. Most skilled on the ball? I would say yes. Best African player all-time is George Weah if you ask me!!!!!
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... Before the advent of the DP slot, I was one of the people who believed Okocha and Pavel Nedved would be huge signings for MLS. I still hold to it. Okocha's signing is big on multiple levels. He will bring the same level of leadership to RSL that Xavier brought to the Galaxy, but it may take a little longer. Many posters on BS have been saying that MLS should be going to places like South America and Africa to get low-priced talent, as in players who have talent but are unable to catch on in Europe or the first team in South America. Okacha's signing may bring MLS to the attention of some of these Nigerians who are unable to get a European playing contract. They showcase their skills in MLS and the league sells the players for a decent transfer fee, which in turn moves teams further away from the red, creating the ability to increase the salary cap, enabling them to find a cure for the common cold, hunger, and poverty, so yes, this is a great signing.
Well Jay Jay certainly is a fun player to watch (well at least he has been, I haven't seen him since he went to Qatar), and I don't think he's lost much in the years he's been out of the EPL. Sounds like a good signing, so long as the contract isnt anything too over the top. Any word on how much $$$ RSL is going to pay him?
Re: 'Jay Jay' Ococha set to join RSL... As we know MLS is where all the dinosaurs come to die. Seriously, I assume/hope this isn't our DP. I do suppose that this will dampen the LD rumors a bit though. We are getting kindof heavy at that position.
I love Essien but he isn't even the best Ghanaian midfielder ever let alone best African. George Weah was a forward not a midfielder. Roger Milla was the most popular African mid ever for his WC accomplishments with Cameroun but the most skilled African mid ever IMO was Abedi Pele.
I said George was the G.O.A.T. African player not midfielder. Learn to read. You could make a good case for Pele or Milla though. BTW who is this Ghanaian that is better than Essien in the midfield? Abedi Pele? Essien might still have something to say at 24 years old. We shall see.
Damn....some of those highlights were badass! He looks like the kind of player that Freddy 'thinks' he is....but Okocha actually has success with his moves...and a wicked shot!
To be honest I don't know much about him, but I remember the name from the Atlanta Olympics. The highlights look great, but if they didn't they wouldn't be highlights. It looks like maybe we'll finally have a mid who can put the ball in the net.
It's been said already, but this move obviously does not hold much promise over the long-term. That makes me wonder - surely the FO aren't trying to salvage anything from this disasterpiece of a season?? I think we'll all be watching this news develop with great interest. Hopefully he is fit and ready to contribute soon. It certainly looks as though RSL will now have someone to take set pieces, though! Wowza!