Do we know anything new here? Is he still in France or back home? Is there any chance he will sign with another club or do the new transfer rules forego that?
Bump. Anyone else know? U20 types, friends of friends? Too bad one of our most promising young defenders has no place to play.
He is still practicing with the club and the powers that be at Metz feel that he will be able to play one day for them. Who knows what the heck goes on with the French powers that be. They can't even switch my ADSL from one house to another in less than two weeks. If it weren't for the wine, women, etc...
that is great news. Someday, if things break just right, he might be able to play for a bad second division side in France. Ice down the champagne just in case....
Onyewu should just pact it up and hook up with a MLS club. With all the problems financially and on the field for Metz its probably a blessing in disguise.
Since MLS will be shutting down until spring, he should probably just stay in France and see if anything breaks there. He would have no reason to sign with MLS before January or February at this point.
MLS typically requires a 4 year contract and since he was just this close to playing where he apparently wanted to play, I figure he will wait to see what happens.
Maybe Clemson would like to have him back for the spring? Seriously though, I hope he finds another team soon. I have high hopes for Oguchi.
I've got to wonder why he keeps sticking it out with them? It seems he could go shop his services elsewhere and actually get a paycheck. What is his connection to Metz? Something's got to be there for him to be sticking it out this long and not having a contract.
Sounds like the club is jerking him around. Better to move on, but apparently he likes getting dumped on by Metz.
He's not free to sign with any other team. He is still under contract with Metz, which would make him a transfer...it is just that his license to play in France has not been ratified. It's not so much Metz who is jerking him around, but the DNCG...he gets paid by Metz, and trains with them.
My mistake then, I thought he was one of those caught up in Metz's financial problems and had his contract status directly affected.
Is the situation that he is signed with Metz (and receiving a salary and training with them) but the French authorities won't allow him to play? or The French authorities won't validate the contract. If it's number one, this is patently stupid (you can't play him because you're finances are a mess, but you must continue to pay him). Then again, it's France, so anything is possible. If it's number two, wouldn't he be free to leave?
the word in french translates as 'ratify'. but yes, it is number one. they can't prevent Metz from paying him (it is their money, I guess)
Straight from Gooch's mouth: "yeah i'm still training with the train, gettin paid, and doing everything but playin in officail matches"
But then he caught wind of the post that MLS would be shutting down in Spring 2003 and thought better of it