How is this odd? It's been speculated for months and Grimandi was in Denver training with the team in late October/early November. We here in Colorado have been waiting on an 'official' announcement. Though nothing from MLSnet just yet.
I find it odd any time that rumours and speculation turn out to be rooted in truth Sounds like a very good move for Colorado. No wonder they weren't too worried about releasing Carlos.
Fantastic Check this out... http://www.planetfootball.com/article.asp?id=126619&cpid=203&title=Rapids+land+Grimandi"/ I think, of all the things that players coming to and going from MLS have ever said, this has impressed me the most: FORMER Arsenal star Gilles Grimandi has revealed how he turned down a potential return to The Premiership with Middlesbrough last week, to head for America. "Personally I have a great desire to live in another country and experience new things." However, Grimandi insists he is not heading to the States to wind down his career: "I think a lot of people would be surprised by the football level in the MLS. "I can see me staying for a couple of years before heading back for one last season somewhere in Europe at the highest level. I want to show that I'm not ready to retire yet." Can you imagine if a player such as Grimandi were to play two years in MLS, star for his team, and still manage to transfer back into the Premiership or its equivalent? What an advert for MLS' quality of play, wouldn't you say? And it'd do a lot to put the "old euro footballers' graveyard" perception to bed -- permanently.
Re: "makeshift solution" He did by all accounts, but maybe he was planning on playing one or two more years, then coming back. The failure to offer a contract to him may have sped up the time-table that's all
(Could you imagine..) Hasn't that already happened? I thought Donadoni went back to Italy and started for Inter Milan (or was it Juventus or AC Milan?) for 1 1/2-2 years after his initial Metrostars stint...
Re: Fantastic You mean like how Donadoni was begged to go back to Milan after his few years for Metro, or how Barltett went from MLS to starting to Charlton (via Switzerland).
Re: Re: Fantastic Difference is, Donadoni went back to Serie A at a time where it was absolutely, crystal clear that MLS was an inferior brand of soccer (well, certainly the Metrostars were, much as it pains me to admit). He went back, in part, because it became apparent to almost everyone that he was TOO GOOD for the league. I truly believe that wouldn't be the case anymore, assuming a 1996 Roberto and a 2003 league. As for Shaun, he proved himself in the Swiss First Division, not in MLS, which was the basis for his transfer -- certainly not for (SURPRISE!) the Metros. And Bartlett's ultimate premiership club was Charlton, not Arsenal, which is where Grimandi comes to us from (via a half-season break). Even more than his pedigree, though, I like his attitude. How could you not? Methinks that this undeniably counts as a check in MLS' "plus" column for the 2003 season.
Autobiography IN HIS OWN WORDS -- Here is Gilles' diary entry for 1/6, courtesy of icons.com: America here I come! I'm still in France at the moment, but I will be leaving for the US at the end of the month. I am pleased to announce that I have just signed for Colorado Rapids on a two-year contract. I went over to the club in September and was impressed by what I saw and as soon as I get my work permit sorted I will be going back over there. It's weird because there was a possibility last week that I was going to return to the Premiership and join Middlesbrough. Boro called me and said that I was the type of player they were looking for and asked if I'd come and train with them for a week because they were not sure about my fitness levels. This was nothing to worry about, it is normal for a club to give a player who has not been at a club for a while a week's trial to test him physically. I was very flattered to get the call from Middlesbrough and they said lots of nice things about me but Colorado were pressing me for a decision at the same time and I had to make my mind up quickly. If Boro had called a few weeks earlier, who knows what would have happened! I made my decision, however, and that was to join Colorado Rapids and I'm very excited about this new stage in my career. The season for Colorado doesn't start until April so I have plenty of time to prepare myself. I will be a long way from my family but I will be back in France in October and really two years is not a very long time to be away. It is going to be a fantastic new challenge and I'm really looking forward to playing again. Meanwhile, I hope everybody had a good Christmas. This was my first Christmas off for a long while and I really enjoyed the time with my family – we even had snow! I'll be back with more news soon.
Where would you rather spend the next two years? The factories of Middlesborough or the Rocky Mountains of Colorado?
Well, I can pretty well guarantee that he can get as much snow as he wants in Colorado, if that's what he likes Might have to drive a bit to get to it in the summer though.
Strange thet you say this, It hasn't snowed in Denver since Thanksgiving. We're getting record higs every day. Right now it's about 60 outside!!!
Re: Autobiography Looks like he missed the memo about the 2003 season going 30 weeks. either that or he doesn't think that they will be making the playoffs this year...
I wonder what Boro were planning to do with him? They certainly don't need someone to help them on defense, they need a goal scorer...Oh well, Grimandi's decision is good for the league, but his optimism about American soccer is really a step in the right direction. I'm excited to see how this guy works out.
As per Soccernet: In an interview published Tuesday in French sports daily L'Equipe, Grimandi said he would "try to open the door'' for French players who hope to play in the MLS. "Some players have already contacted me for information,'' he told the newspaper. I think that this is all just an evil plot by the French FA, who want to start populating MLS with French players, in order to ensure that France will advance out of the first round in the next World Cup ... or at least win a game ... or at least score a goal!!!