Archived News from July 2004
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ASAMOAH IN TALKS WITH STAGS
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Asamoah's agent confirms Mansfield talks
Northampton Town official site Northampton Town striker Derek Asamoah's agent Charles Colleymore has confirmed that his client is in talks with Mansfield Town. Asamoah has officially rejected Northampton Town's offer of a new, improved more permanent contract and has decided to enter into talks with the Stags, although he currently remains a Cobblers player. Asamoah, who has made nearly 140 appearances in his 4 years at Sixfields and scored thirteen goals, is under the age to qualify for a Bosman free transfer, and the Cobblers are therefore entitled to receive compensation should any transfer take place. The club did offer Derek a new, improved contract, but he has cited the chance of more regular first team football as the reason behind these discussions. "Derek has been offered a new contract, but for footballing reasons he has decided to reject the offer," said Mr Collymore in a statement. "Derek is concerned he has become typecast as a substitute at Northampton and feels he needs to play 90 minutes per week to establish what he really has to offer the game." " All parties concerned are in negotiations with Mansfield Town who are prepared to give Derek the chance to fulfil the opportunity he is seeking." However, Cobblers boss Colin Calderwood remains hopeful that Asamoah may stay at Sixfields. "If Derek is still there when we return from Spain then great, we are all in this together," he said to the Northampton Chronicle & Echo. "If something does transpire and he moves on then we will shake hands and wish him the best of luck, but at the minute he is still our player." ---------------- Asamoah to leave cobblers http://www.northamptontoday.co.uk DEREK ASAMOAH is set to quit the Cobblers for play-off conquerors Mansfield Town. The 23-year-old has failed to cement a regular first-team place in his three years at Sixfields and rejected an improved contract offer from boss Colin Calderwood. Although Asamoah is still registered with the Cobblers on a week-to-week basis, the Ghanaian-born striker has set his sights on a switch to Mansfield despite insisting he never wanted to leave. Boss Colin Calderwood has been unable to guarantee Asamoah a starting role for next season, and the front man said it was time to call a halt to his Sixfields career. "I never wanted to leave Northampton," he said. "It is a big wrench as my children and my home is here. I just don't think I was given enough of a compelling reason to stay. I felt a duty to the supporters to give them clear reasons. They have been amazing, and made my decision all the more difficult." Asamoah said he sat down with his agent, Charles Collymore, to plot the next phase of his career, adding: "I realised if I didn't go this year I would have left next year anyway as I was only offered the one year." Calderwood, in Spain preparing his side for the second friendly of the pre-season trip to Spain against Ecija tonight, said: "This is the situation and we aren't going to pass too much comment about Derek, apart from he was never any problem. Every player has the right to reject a contract offer and I can understand his reasons in a lot of ways." But Calderwood hinted that Asamoah's move is by no means complete, adding: "If Derek is still there when we return from Spain then great. "If something does transpire and he moves on then we will shake hands and wish him the best of luck, but at the minute he is still our player." Asamoah Stats: Real name Derek Asamoah Height 5.06 Weight 10.04 Date of birth 01-05-1981 Place of birth Ghana Position Forward Northampton 25-07-2001 Free 28 (86) 10 6 (3) 2 0 (3) 0 4 (2) 1 Totals £ 0 28 (86) 10 6 (3) 2 0 (3) 0 4 (2) 1 goals / game 0.08 0.22 0 0.16 |
Latest | July 2004