Tuesday Fulham Stuff (03/09/13)...

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Parma And Fulham Have Not Reached An Agreement Over Swap Of Defenders

Parma have yet to reach an agreement with Fulham over a possible exchange between the sides that would see Yohan Benalouane and Philippe Senderos switch clubs.

Talks over a deal are still ongoing but have likely stalled because the Ducali have different valuation of the two players.

According to Tuttomercatoweb, Fulham are looking to off-load the Swiss international as he has been pushed down the pecking order after new arrivals at Craven Cottage.

"Philippe needs games and is free to leave," Matin Jol told Sky Sports ahead of a possible move that would see the Cottager's defender return to Serie A.

Benalouane has been linked with a move to England in the past but it appears this time Fulham could finally bring the 26-year-old to the Premier League.

Benalouane has made 18 appearances for Parma since joining from Cesena in 2012, while Senderos made 14 appearances for AC Milan while spending the 2008/09 on loan with the Rossoneri.



http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2013/09/parma-and-fulham-have-not-reached-an-agreement-over-swap-of-defenders/?

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Fulham teen Frei set for Besiktas after £3m bid from Turkish club for winger

Fulham winger Kerim Frei has been the subject of a £3million bid from Turkish club Besiktas.

The 19-year-old is keen to sign a five-year deal after falling down the pecking order under Craven Cottage boss Martin Jol.


On his way? Kerim Frei is the subject of a £3million bid from Besiktas

Having won four caps for Turkey, the Austrian-born teenager made just eight appearances for West Brom last season after spending the first half of the campaign on loan at Cardiff.

Frei fanned the flames of rumours of a long-standing move to native Turkey on Monday when he tweeted: 'Landed in Istanbul!'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2408923/Besiktas-bid-3million-Fulhams-Karim-Frei.html#ixzz2dnahGwsI
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Stoke City beat Fulham to sign Stephen Ireland on-loan from Aston Villa

Stoke City have fended off interest from Fulham to sign Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland.

Ireland, who had been frozen out at Villa under Paul Lambert, moves to the Britannia Stadium on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent deal.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes worked with the 27-year-old whilst at Manchester City, and knows all about his qualities, with Potters' chief executive Tony Scholes telling the club's official website that their relationship was key in deciding the move.

'Stephen is a player that Mark knows really well and when the opportunity arose he was keen to add him to his midfield and attacking options,' said Scholes.

'Arguably the most successful period of Stephen's career to date was when he played for Mark at Manchester City and we hope that he can rediscover that form.'

It's thought that Hughes has agreed to pay a £500,000 loan fee for the player, with a view to a permanent deal next summer.

Fulham had also made an approach for the player, but refused to hand over a loan fee, and that deal collapsed.



http://metro.co.uk/2013/09/02/stoke-city-beat-fulham-to-sign-stephen-ireland-on-loan-from-aston-villa-3947250/?

[WhiteJC]

 
Keeper Stays at Accrington
   
Transfer day news, relating to Fulham Football Club has been quite Spartan today.

However, as the clock ticked past 18:00 hours, and with five hours left before the window slams shut, it has been announced that our young twenty-one year old goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, will remain at Accrington Stanley for the remainder of the season.

Whilst on loan, Bettinelli has made a mere two appearances.

We wish him well.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=331033#ixzz2dnbI9WeN

[WhiteJC]

 
Woodrow On Loan

The Club can announce that Under-21 striker Cauley Woodrow has joined Southend United on a one-month loan deal.

The Shrimpers are currently seventh in Sky Bet League Two and lost their game 2-1 to Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday, with Manager Phil Brown calling Woodrow "a prodigious talent" after the match and insisting he was hopeful of bringing him in to play against Morecambe this weekend.

Woodrow joined Fulham from Luton Town in March 2011 and scored 20 goals in 19 games for the Under-18 side last season as he captained the side to back-to-back Barclays Under-18 Premier League titles.

The Club would like to wish Cauley, who made the step up to Kit Symons' Under-21 side this season, all the best as he looks to make an impression in League Two.

"I'm delighted to be here and looking forward to getting some first-team football under my belt," Cauley told the Southend website. "I really enjoyed my first day with the players, they've all been great. I'm now just looking ahead to this weekend's game against Morecambe."


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/02/cauley-on-loan?

[WhiteJC]

 
Trotta To Return

The Club can announce that striker Marcello Trotta has re-joined Sky Bet League One side Brentford on loan until 5th January 2014.

Trotta netted six goals in 22 appearances while on a temporary spell at Griffin Park in 2012/13, with a further three in five cup games, and helped them to the League One Play-Off Final which they lost to Dan Burn's Yeovil Town.

The 22-year-old Italian impressed during his time with The Bees under Uwe Rösler but, with the arrival of Darren Bent this summer, has found his chances of First Team football limited in SW6 even though he scored against Dartford for the Under-21s in a friendly in early August.

Brentford manager Rösler said: "I remember he joined us on November 24 and he then played every single game for us when we were unbeaten in ten and won seven out of ten. That was due to Marcello coming into the team at the right time and giving us a big lift. He is still very young and he learned a lot last year."

The Club would like to wish Marcello all the best as he heads back to Brentford looking to make an impression on Manager Martin Jol with his goalscoring.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/02/trotta-to-return?

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Zverotic Signs



The Club is delighted to announce the signing of Elsad Zverotić from BSC Young Boys for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal with an option.

The 26-year-old had been at the club since 2011 when he joined from fellow Swiss side FC Luzern and is a versatile defensive player who can operate in midfield and along the back line.

Zverotić is a Montenegro international who made his debut for his country in 2008 and scored the winning goal against Bulgaria in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier, while he played against England in the recent 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign.

The Club would like to welcome Elsad to the Barclays Premier League and wish him well in providing competition for the First Team squad.



http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/02/zverotic-signs?

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Cottagers capture Zverotic
Fulham have completed the signing of defender Elsad Zverotic from Young Boys, with the Montenegro international signing an initial two-year deal.

Fulham have completed the signing of defender Elsad Zverotic from Young Boys, with the Montenegro international signing an initial two-year deal at Craven Cottage.

The 26-year-old, who has 34 caps, completed his deal in the final minutes of the summer transfer window - with the Barclays Premier League club confirming the deal with a brief statement on their website.

"The Club is delighted to announce the signing of Elsad Zverotic from Young Boys on a two-year deal with an option," it read.

"Zverotic is a Montenegro international and had been at the club since 2011 when he joined from fellow Swiss side FC Luzern. The 26-year-old joins Fulham on the final day of the 2013 summer transfer window."

The right-back will provide competition for Sascha Riether in the Cottagers defence and becomes Martin Jol's ninth signing of the transfer window, with Riether, Fernando Amorebieta, Derek Boateng, Maarten Stekelenburg, Ange-Freddy Plumain and Scott Parker having already penned permanent deals.

Adel Taarabt and Darren Bent, meanwhile, have joined on loan.


http://sport.bt.com/sportfootball/football/cottagers-capture-zverotic-S11363830327167?

[WhiteJC]

 
Transfer Round-Up

It was a relatively quiet transfer deadline day for Fulham as we got our business done early with six new players joining the First Team squad this summer and one leaving it late.

Derek Boateng – 22nd May, 2013

First to arrive back in May was free agent Boateng, who joined the Club officially on 1st July on a one-year deal with the option of another 12 months. The 30-year-old Ghanaian defensive midfielder was previously at Ukrainian side FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, whom he played for against Fulham in last season's UEFA Europa League qualification round, and bolstered our central areas as a tough tackler who can distribute well. A veteran of almost 50 appearances for his county, Derek has brought some physicality to the Fulham team and has shown signs he is adapting well to life in the Barclays Premier League. Read the story


Fernando Amorebieta – 22nd May, 2013

Hot on the heels of Boateng came defender Amorebieta on a free transfer from Athletic Bilbao. Fernando signed on the same day and officially became a Fulham player on 1st July. With a reputation as a no-nonsense defender after more than 250 appearances in Spain, the Venezuela international signed a four-year deal and his physical presence in the heart of the Fulham defence will be complemented by the fact he can also slot in at left-back as well. The 28-year-old suffered an injury which has prevented him from making his competitive First Team debut but he was involved in pre-season and hopes are high that he will fit in well to the English style of play. Read the story

Maarten Stekelenburg – 5th June

With Mark Schwarzer's time at Fulham coming to a close, we swooped to sign the Netherlands international goalkeeper from AS Roma for an undisclosed fee. Stekelenburg signed a four-year contract at the Club and took the number one jersey after being reunited with Manager Martin Jol following their time together at Ajax. The 30-year-old brings enormous experience having played in the 2010 World Cup Final, and due to his stature and style has been compared to another impressive Dutch goalkeeper who made his mark at Fulham: Edwin van der Sar. Read the story


Giorgos Karagounis – 9th July

Greek warrior Karagounis only arrived at the Club on a free transfer in September 2012 but proved himself to be a vital part of our midfield and signed a new one-year extension in July. He hammered home long-range strikes against Wigan Athletic and Blackpool in January and the effort against the Seasiders came a close second in our Goal of the Season award, while the veteran was also pipped by Dimitar Berbatov in the voting for Fans' Player of the Season, proving that he has well and truly won over the Cottage with his tenacity and never-say-die attitude. Read the story


Adel Taraabt – 7th August, 2013

After starring for local rivals Queens Park Rangers last season, Taraabt caught the eye with a host of fine attacking performances and was reunited with Jol following their time together at Tottenham Hotspur. The 24-year-old, who joined on a season-long loan spell, brings trickery and vision to the midfield and he can slot in anywhere across the front three, boasting fine dribbling skills and a real goal threat as well. Last season against the Whites, he bagged three goals in two games, so we're pleased that he'll be on our side for the current campaign. Read the story


Darren Bent – 16th August 2013

A goalscorer who has hit the net on a regular basis everywhere he has been, Bent arrived on a season-long loan from Aston Villa to help bolster our attack. The striker has scored more than 100 Premier League goals since 2005, playing for Ipswich Town, Charlton Athletic, Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Villa and will be hoping to earn a place back in the England squad for the 2014 World Cup with regular games in SW6. Bent's pace and clinical finishing are something that Jol has been vocal about bringing into the Club, so his arrival was something of a coup with other sides reportedly interested. Read the story


Sascha Riether – 16th August, 2013

Taking up our option to sign the German right-back permanently after he impressed hugely in his loan spell from FC Cologne last season, Sascha signed a two-year deal in mid-August to commit his future to the Club. He played 39 times in his debut season for Fulham and was named the Players' Player of the Year by his teammates after some lung-busting performances down the right which marked him out as one of the best full-backs in the Premier League. A real fans' favourite, Riether provides a great outlet as well as defensive stability on the right and we're delighted he has opted to continue his career in SW6. Read the story


Scott Parker – 19th August

One of the best defensive midfielders in the Premier League, Parker arrived on a three-year deal from Tottenham for an undisclosed fee to bolster our options in central midfield and bring his vast experience of the English game to Fulham. A veteran of more than 300 appearances in this country, Parker rose to captain the Three Lions in 2012 not long after he had won the 2011 Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year for his performances for West Ham United. A tough-tackler who is as committed as they come, Parker's short passing will help to drive the Fulham attacks forward and his leadership will be vital to helping our cause in the coming years. Read the story


Elsad Zverotić- 2nd September

The Club announced the signing of Elsad Zverotić from Young Boys on a two-year deal with an option. The 26-year-old had been at the club since 2011 when he joined from fellow Swiss side FC Luzern and is a versatile defensive player who can operate in midfield and along the back line. A Montenegro international who made his debut for his country in 2008, he scored the winning goal against Bulgaria in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier, while he also played against England in the recent 2014 World Cup Qualifying campaign. Read the story


Other arrivals:

Joining up with the Development Squad, young French midfielder Ange-Freddy Plumain signed for the club on 25th July on a deal which will keep him here until 2016. Formerly of French Ligue 2 side RC Lens, Plumain scored one goal in 22 appearances for the first team and has been involved in Kit Symons' plans for the 2013/14 Barclays Under-21 Premier League season.

After beginning his career in his native Slovakia with MFK Košice, 16-year-old goalkeeper Marek Rodak first joined the Club in 2012/13 and went straight into the successful Under-18 side that claimed back-to-back Premier League titles. He also played in the Under-19 Dallas Cup success and made his debut for the U21s on Friday night against Wolverhampton Wanderers, proving the old mantra that if you're good enough then you will get a chance however young you are.

The Club was also delighted to announce a number of contract extensions for players from the Under-21 and Under-18 squads, including Moussa Dembele, and a number of our highly-rated young players also signed scholarship agreements from 1st July 2013.

Departures:

On loan: Dan Burn (Birmingham City; season-long), Ryan Williams (Oxford United; five months), Marcus Bettinelli (Accrington Stanley; season-long), Josh Pritchard (Tromso IL; loan extended), Max Oberschmidt (Celtic; four months), Cauley Woodrow (Southend United; one-month); Marcello Trotta (Brentford; four months)


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/02/transfer-round-up?

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A Fulham Fan's Transfer Deadline Day

Transfer deadline day morning arrives. I look back at last year – three signings: Berbatov, Richardson and Dejagah. I think that surely we'll bring someone in. I hope for a right-back, a left-back and a creative midfield. Even a striker if I'm lucky.

The day starts, no-one linked with Fulham. I drive past the training ground at Motspur Park before lunch. No-one outside, not even a Sky camera!

The main talk is Hugo Rodallega being linked with a move away. To be honest, I'm not too disappointed, as long as we bring in someone to replace him, I'd love Jordan Rhodes, who's being linked with a move to Wigan.

Kerim Frei is also linked with a move away to Besiktas. While I'd be disappointed to let him go, I'd resigned myself to it happening. Jol doesn't seem to rate him.

There's talk of a swap deal for Senderos and Parma's Benalouane, but Fulham don't seem to be able to agree wages for Benalouane. The lack of money at Fulham seems to be evident this year.

It gets to about 4 in the afternoon. Still no Fulham movement. I'm frustrated. I don't understand why.

Rodallega to Hull seems to be off – they're linked with Shane Long. Trotta moves to Brentford on loan. Leaves Fulham with 3 strikers.

No problem if we play 4-2-3-1. A bit of a problem if we choose to go 4-4-2. Young striker Cauley Woodrow also leaves on loan.

We get to about 8 or 9 and still nothing at all. Surely someone must realise that we can't go through the season with just Sascha Riether at right-back.

The Dutch press seem to link us with signing Eyong Enoh again. I'd be pleased with that, he was impressive last season on loan.

A Twitter rumour starts that Garry Monk has been spotted at Motspur Park. The 34-year-old Swansea defender Garry Monk. It's clearly a made up rumour, but some people believe it – it shows how desperate Fulham fans are. At this stage in the day, we'll take anyone.

I count down the minutes to the window shutting. Surely someone will sign. We need a right back!

I take optimism that club Communications Director Sarah Brookes hasn't confirmed that the club has finished its business for the window.

The window shuts. Still no new news. Still no confirmation from Sarah Brookes though.

At 11.08pm Sarah Brookes tweets 'phew'. Surely that means that we've signed someone in time! Moments later, the arrival of Montenegrin right-back Elsad Zverotić is confirmed.

It's now 11.30. I can't see us signing anyone else – Sarah Brookes tweets she's off to bed! My overwhelming feeling is now relief that we've got a right-back. Transfer deadline day wasn't as good as last year, but at least we've done something.



Read more: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/fulham/news/02-09-2013/a-fulham-fans-transfer-deadline-day/845365?#ixzz2dnd2QShv

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Ex-Fulham player returns to NZ

Former Fulham and Phoenix defender James Musa has signed with Team Wellington for the 2013-14 national league season.

It is a minor coup for the Matt Calcott-coached side, but a fall from grace for the athletic 21-year-old.

Musa was signed by Fulham after catching the eye while playing for New Zealand at last year's London Olympics.

But he did not make a first-team appearance and was released by the English Premier League club at the end of the 2012-13 season.

Before that he made three appearances for the Phoenix in 2010-11 before being released.

Musa will aim to relaunch his career at Team Wellington, where he played an integral role in the franchise's 2011-12 grand final run.

Musa was one of six Team Wellington signings announced today, along with Anthony Hobbs, Jason Hicks, Henry Fa'arodo, Tom Doyle and James McPeake.

Defender Hobbs is a former New Zealand age-group representative who has recently spent time with MLS club Portland Timbers' under-23 team.

Midfielder Hicks is another former Kiwi age-group rep who has previously played for Waikato FC and Auckland City.

Forward Fa'arodo and defender/midfielder Doyle return from last season's squad, while McPeake is a goalkeeper for Wellington Olympic.

"From what I've heard there's going to be quality all over the pitch," McPeake said.

"And that there's going to be a really good culture with the players around doing the hard yards and holding each other to very high standards and not accepting anything less than the best, week in, week out. I think that a few things have been learnt from last season and it's going to be an exciting summer ahead of us."

Team Wellington now have 12 players on the books, with Colin Murphy, Jacob Spoonley, Tobias Bertsch, Patrick Fleming, Jamie De Abreu and Cory Chettleburgh already signed.



http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/9120188/?

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Transfer deadline day: Elsad Zverotic joins Fulham



Fulham signed Montenegro international Elsad Zverotic from Swiss side Young Boys for an undisclosed fee just before the transfer window closed.

The 26-year-old, who has spent his entire career in the Swiss leagues, has joined on a two-year deal.

"He is a versatile defensive player who can operate in midfield and along the back line," a club statement read.

Zverotic netted a rare international goal against England in a Euro 2012 qualifier in October 2011.

He also scored against Liverpool at Anfield for Young Boys in last season's Europa League campaign.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23940165?

[WhiteJC]

 
International Youth

Nine of our youngsters have been called up for international action this week at both Under-21 and Under-19 level.

Pajtim Kasami will play for Switzerland U21s as they take on Latvia in a European Championship Qualifying match on Thursday. Kasami has caught the eye of late by breaking into the First Team and scoring his first Fulham goal against Sunderland, but will have ambitions of helping his country this week as the Swiss begin their Qualifying campaign against a side who beat Liechtenstein 4-0 in their Group Five opener.

Kerim Frei is also in action as Turkey U21s take on Malta in Group Seven. The winger has been involved with the Turkish senior squad in recent months and didn't feature as the U21s were beaten 3-1 by Poland in their opener so will hope to make a big impression to help his side's chances of progression.

Centre-back Jack Grimmer has been handed a call-up to the Scotland U21 squad when they face off against the Netherlands. The Scots beat Luxembourg 3-0 to start their campaign perfectly and sit in second position as they come up against the highly-rated Dutch in Group Three.

Denmark's U21s will be hopeful of a big win against Andorra at the Aalborg Stadium on Friday and have versatile midfielder Lasse Vigen Christensen in the squad. They began with a 1-0 win over Estonia in Group Two and will hope to close the gap and increase their goal difference at the top of the table.

Goalkeeper Jesse Joronen could play as Finland U21s look to keep up their good form against Lithuania in another European Championship Qualifier. Finland won 5-1 against Wales but have drawn their other game to sit behind the night's opposition, who have played a match more, in second place.

In the same Group One, on-loan midfielder Josh Pritchard could be in action for Wales U21s on Friday as they play minnows San Marino. Pritchard was in goalscoring form for his club Tromso in the UEFA Europa League last week and will be looking to do the same to help Wales keep up the pressure on Finland and Lithuania.

Meanwhile, Dean O'Halloran and Noe Baba have been selected to represent the Republic of Ireland U19s for a double header of friendly fixtures against Slovenia. The Irish will play Slovenia on Tuesday 3rd and Thursday 5rd September after they lost narrowly to Norway in a similar double fixture, 2-1 and 1-0, a few weeks ago.

Last but not least, defender Cameron Burgess has been selected to represent Scotland U19s in their International Challenge match against Iceland at Forthbank Stadium in Stirling on Tuesday 3rd September.


http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/03/international-youth?

[WhiteJC]

 
Trotta Returns to Brentford
   
Another of our young players was sent off on loan late last night.

Marcello Trotta, who spent a spell at Brentford last season, has returned to Griffin Park on a six month loan spell that lasts until January 5th 2014.


Read more: http://www.fulham.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=331152#ixzz2dq8ND0xX