Coventry City wasted no time in snapping up talented Irish forward Ricardo Dinanga after bitter rivals Sunderland couldn’t agree a compensation fee for his services.
The 19-year-old Sky Blues summer signing from Cork City has revealed that he was close to joining the League One Black Cats after a successful trial earlier in the year
But he says the deal fell flat over finances and Coventry nipped in, wasting no time in putting their hand in their pocket to fork out the required fee.
“I was delighted to sign with Coventry,” said the teenager, speaking to Echolive, while also revealing Ipswich Town expressed an interest.
“I came on trial here back in April and must have impressed because they agreed to pay the compensation fee very quickly.
“I signed a pre-contract with the club before I came back to Cork for a break in the summer. Nothing could be announced because of the transfer window not being open.
“I couldn’t officially become a Coventry player until July. I just had to keep everything quiet for a bit. I told my family and close friends when I came home but that was it.”
He added: “It could have been different because I went on trial with Sunderland in January.
“I was initially meant to go for a week but my agent rang me towards the end of the first week and said they wanted to keep me on for another week and would I mind staying.
“The second week went well and it looked as if I would be signing for them but they couldn’t agree a fee with Cork.
“It all worked out for the best.”
Please nobody tell me we have a plan and Dreyfus is just being careful with his mams pocket money again. Theres no excuse for this...