SUNDERLAND are linking up with Belgian side Lierse SK to bring the cream of young African talent to Wearside. The Black Cats have worked hard to develop links in Africa, announcing a partnership with Ghanaian side Kotoko last year and this summer signing the most lucrative shirt sponsorship deal in the clubâs history which sees the players wearing kit bearing the slogan âInvest in Africaâ. And now Sunderland are following in the footsteps of clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City by using a European club as a means of fast-tracking promising young players from Africa to the Premier League. Sunderland will help bring potential African stars to Lierse, where they can cut their teeth in the Belgian Pro League. Ordinarily, it takes four years for a player to qualify for Belgian citizenship and the EU passport that would allow them to move to Britain. But if the player becomes a rising star while at Lierse and breaks into his national side, Sunderland could apply for Special Talent work permit which would allow him to come to the UK immediately. It is a path trodden by Nigerian midfielder Jon Obi-Mikel, who played in Norway before moving to Chelsea, and Arsenalâs Mexican striker Carlos Vela, who was sent on loan to Spain after failing to get a work permit when he signed for the Gunners. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great move by the club but I also think that we should send our promising youngsters that come through the academy over there onloan for half a season to a season and let them learn football in another way. I remember Steve McClaren was on Sky Sports News on the first day of his clubs pre season training and it was showing them train and he was saying how different it is to over here, its all about the ball and playing with the ball on the ground, even the goalkeepers have to play it out from the back. It would bring on our players loads IMO. As for the African's lets hope we get a few good ones, must have a few lined up.
Yeah, this is a great move by the club. The Pro League is very competitive and producing some incredible talent at the minute, Belgium is also a great country for non-Europeans to bed into the continent. Wonder what Lierse get out of us?
Few loanee's I imagine, such as Wickham as well as a few quid, also imagine there will be a annual friendly between the clubs
talking of Yaya Toure, he started off his career in the same way as these African lads will be so fingers crossed we find the next one. hopefully they produce a few top quality Belgians as well because at the minute there is some exceptional talent coming out of there There owners are apparently Egyptian an we have a feeder club in Egypt don't we, wonder if there is a link the club is doing fantastic work off the pitch and I hope they keep it up!
