' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:46 pm
WalesOnline
Weds Sept 30th
The manager of the Belgian club owned by Cardiff City backer Vincent Tan conducted the deal to sign Idriss Saadi for the Bluebirds, he has claimed.
Saadi made the surprise switch from French second division football to Cardiff City Stadium last month after agreeing a three-year deal to move from Clermont.
And now Patrick Turcq, sporting manager at KVK Kortrijk, has claimed the player was scouted by the Belgian club before transfer and contract negotiations were dealt with by himself.
It comes as the ProLeague club unveiled the signing of Senegal’s junior World Cup star Sidy Sarr – who was first tracked by Cardiff and is already being lined up for the Bluebirds should he prove a hit in European football.
And there are suggestions he could be followed from Africa by Ghana Under 20 international Asiedu Attobrah, also with an eye on a potential future move to South Wales.
It is the first real signs of a working partnership between Tan’s clubs – with the Malaysian millionaire’s football portfolio also including Bosnian champions FK Sarajevo – but the claims of Turcq’s significant involvement in the Saadi deal will surprise many Cardiff fans.
The Algerian-qualified striker, 23, has played little football in 2015 after suffering a knee ligament injury and has needed personalised training since his arrival, with Cardiff boss Russell Slade saying there had been exhaustive checks made on the former Saint Etienne frontman.
Turcq claim
Now Turcq – responsible for transfer dealings at KVK – has claimed it was the Belgian club who recommended him to Cardiff and that he oversaw the talks, telling a Belgian sports publication: “I did both the contract and the transfer talks. We know French football well and knew that the profile of the boy is equally suited for the Championship.”
Saadi is said to be still some weeks from contention, though was cited as a player to watch in the second tier of French football and was described by Slade as “a talented young player” who would “enhance” Cardiff’s squad.
Tan has previously spoken of wanting to move players between his three European clubs and Ken Choo, the Cardiff chief executive who performs a similar role at KVK, confirmed in Belgium he used the Bluebirds to lure teenage African talent Sarr and see off interest from Anderlecht, Galatasaray and Marseille, telling local reporters: “If he does well, he can come to Cardiff’.”
He also said: “He was able (to go to other clubs) but in Cardiff we have the connections and influence to persuade players to choose our project. He is still young, but I predict him a great future.”
Sarr, 19, was a player who impressed for semi-finalists Senegal during the Under 20 World Cup held earlier this year and it has been claimed in Belgium that an immediate move to Cardiff would see work permit issues, something eased by an initial move to Europe where he has signed a three-year contract with KVK.
SIDY SARR
Sister club precedents
Likewise a similar deal has been mooted for midfielder Attobrah, the 20-year-old having been part of the Ghana squad that reached the knock-out stages, with local reports claiming that Cardiff have the first-choice on both players.
Though the cross-channel transfer co-operation is not traditional, there have long been examples of ‘sister club’ relationships involving Premier League sides such as Manchester United and Chelsea.
Furthermore, the Pozzo family have made a recent success of their own synergised transfer system where Watford have benefited from tie-ups with Udinese in Italy and Granada – and vice versa – with former Italy striker Andrea Carnevale in charge of a scouting operation across all three clubs.
Weds Sept 30th
The manager of the Belgian club owned by Cardiff City backer Vincent Tan conducted the deal to sign Idriss Saadi for the Bluebirds, he has claimed.
Saadi made the surprise switch from French second division football to Cardiff City Stadium last month after agreeing a three-year deal to move from Clermont.
And now Patrick Turcq, sporting manager at KVK Kortrijk, has claimed the player was scouted by the Belgian club before transfer and contract negotiations were dealt with by himself.
It comes as the ProLeague club unveiled the signing of Senegal’s junior World Cup star Sidy Sarr – who was first tracked by Cardiff and is already being lined up for the Bluebirds should he prove a hit in European football.
And there are suggestions he could be followed from Africa by Ghana Under 20 international Asiedu Attobrah, also with an eye on a potential future move to South Wales.
It is the first real signs of a working partnership between Tan’s clubs – with the Malaysian millionaire’s football portfolio also including Bosnian champions FK Sarajevo – but the claims of Turcq’s significant involvement in the Saadi deal will surprise many Cardiff fans.
The Algerian-qualified striker, 23, has played little football in 2015 after suffering a knee ligament injury and has needed personalised training since his arrival, with Cardiff boss Russell Slade saying there had been exhaustive checks made on the former Saint Etienne frontman.
Turcq claim
Now Turcq – responsible for transfer dealings at KVK – has claimed it was the Belgian club who recommended him to Cardiff and that he oversaw the talks, telling a Belgian sports publication: “I did both the contract and the transfer talks. We know French football well and knew that the profile of the boy is equally suited for the Championship.”
Saadi is said to be still some weeks from contention, though was cited as a player to watch in the second tier of French football and was described by Slade as “a talented young player” who would “enhance” Cardiff’s squad.
Tan has previously spoken of wanting to move players between his three European clubs and Ken Choo, the Cardiff chief executive who performs a similar role at KVK, confirmed in Belgium he used the Bluebirds to lure teenage African talent Sarr and see off interest from Anderlecht, Galatasaray and Marseille, telling local reporters: “If he does well, he can come to Cardiff’.”
He also said: “He was able (to go to other clubs) but in Cardiff we have the connections and influence to persuade players to choose our project. He is still young, but I predict him a great future.”
Sarr, 19, was a player who impressed for semi-finalists Senegal during the Under 20 World Cup held earlier this year and it has been claimed in Belgium that an immediate move to Cardiff would see work permit issues, something eased by an initial move to Europe where he has signed a three-year contract with KVK.
SIDY SARR
Sister club precedents
Likewise a similar deal has been mooted for midfielder Attobrah, the 20-year-old having been part of the Ghana squad that reached the knock-out stages, with local reports claiming that Cardiff have the first-choice on both players.
Though the cross-channel transfer co-operation is not traditional, there have long been examples of ‘sister club’ relationships involving Premier League sides such as Manchester United and Chelsea.
Furthermore, the Pozzo family have made a recent success of their own synergised transfer system where Watford have benefited from tie-ups with Udinese in Italy and Granada – and vice versa – with former Italy striker Andrea Carnevale in charge of a scouting operation across all three clubs.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:51 pm
Minimal money parted, minimal risk. Worst that would happen is Saadi doesn't adapt and he's a dud. Best thing that can happen is he scores a shit ton of goals.
KVK also playing players to gain a work permit and transfer them over to us is decent as well, depending on the quality.
KVK also playing players to gain a work permit and transfer them over to us is decent as well, depending on the quality.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 7:55 pm
Interesting.
So in reality we now have a feeder club in Belgium.
This would suggest a longer term plan is at least partly in place for our club, rather than just spend shit loads to get us up.
Following the likes of Watford who have benefitted from an owner having a club abroad.
Like parachute payments, premier league domination of income, control of multiple clubs is wrong IMHO.
It will be used to dodge FFP as I doubt the transfer fees for these players if they move will really reflect their true value.
So in reality we now have a feeder club in Belgium.
This would suggest a longer term plan is at least partly in place for our club, rather than just spend shit loads to get us up.
Following the likes of Watford who have benefitted from an owner having a club abroad.
Like parachute payments, premier league domination of income, control of multiple clubs is wrong IMHO.
It will be used to dodge FFP as I doubt the transfer fees for these players if they move will really reflect their true value.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:05 pm
He holds the purse strings so nothing new in it! 
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 8:58 pm
At first I thought more circus stuff, but reading on this link could work out very well for us. And anyway we didn't pay anything for him for nothing to loose, everything to gain.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 9:37 pm
when the club were asked about swansea having training camps in and around cardiff, wasn't the response something about swansea having the software but not the hardware.
Maybe this article explain the comment?
Maybe this article explain the comment?
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 9:55 pm
Great read and sounds promising for our club. Using links at belgium to spot european talent fantastic.
Also great that we can use the belgium club as a stepping stone for other talent so they can get work permits then sign for cardiff after gaining more experience. Lets hope we get a few gems through this link with the belgium club starting with saadi.
Great work vincent tan and ken choo.
Also great that we can use the belgium club as a stepping stone for other talent so they can get work permits then sign for cardiff after gaining more experience. Lets hope we get a few gems through this link with the belgium club starting with saadi.
Great work vincent tan and ken choo.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Wed Sep 30, 2015 10:42 pm
Like above said this link could be a huge advantage for us to get promising young talent from there for next to nothing and it hasn't done clubs like Watford any harm at all. 
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 12:51 am
Although I'm not a great fan of multi-club ownership (albeit in different countries/leagues) a 'feeder' club in Belgium can only be a good thing for the future of Cardiff City FC 
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 6:14 am
Shock,Horror,Tan might actually know what he's doing
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 6:36 am
I think deep down most of us believed that VT knew what he was doing with these so called feeder clubs. Kortrijk, Sarajevo and the MLS Franchise will, in due course, provide us with quality players.
Spending your way to success may not be the answer - especially if you are relatively new to the British game. The Swansea route will accrue some decent players but they will have to wait years for them to come anywhere near the first team.
The route we appear to be taking is (a) Scouting a large part of Europe - as opposed to South Wales and (b) going for 18-22 year olds - as opposed to Juniors.
We have the better coverage with the right age range.
This is going to work.
Spending your way to success may not be the answer - especially if you are relatively new to the British game. The Swansea route will accrue some decent players but they will have to wait years for them to come anywhere near the first team.
The route we appear to be taking is (a) Scouting a large part of Europe - as opposed to South Wales and (b) going for 18-22 year olds - as opposed to Juniors.
We have the better coverage with the right age range.
This is going to work.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 7:04 am
This is the most positive news I have heard for a while, also the most positive responses I have heard on this forum for many a year.
So hopefully who knows,this could be just what we need. Everybody on the same page and moving forward together.
So hopefully who knows,this could be just what we need. Everybody on the same page and moving forward together.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 7:31 am
carlccfc wrote:Tan has previously spoken of wanting to move players between his three European clubs and Ken Choo, the Cardiff chief executive who performs a similar role at KVK, confirmed in Belgium he used the Bluebirds to lure teenage African talent Sarr and see off interest from Anderlecht, Galatasaray and Marseille, telling local reporters: “If he does well, he can come to Cardiff’.”
It's a great article, i'm not sure if the KVK/Cardiff move is a bigger move than Anderlecht, Gala & Marseille mind. Anderlecht & Marseille players are regularly scouted & purchased by PL clubs. Sounds like a bit of hot air that claim imo
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:00 am
Ive been saying this for months that the other clubs will be feeder clubs too us, Also be interesting to see what happens with Miami FC.
sure to be big signings looking for loan moves in the off season
sure to be big signings looking for loan moves in the off season
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 10:56 am
We must remember that Tan won't solely own the LA based side, he's just one of TWENTY-TWO owners.
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 11:54 am
BlueSince1908 wrote:We must remember that Tan won't solely own the LA based side, he's just one of TWENTY-TWO owners.
i thought it was 6? Also regardless of numbers im sure they will want to do him a favour or two being business partners
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 4:12 pm
bluebird7291 wrote:BlueSince1908 wrote:We must remember that Tan won't solely own the LA based side, he's just one of TWENTY-TWO owners.
i thought it was 6? Also regardless of numbers im sure they will want to do him a favour or two being business partners
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/lafc-ml ... ic-johnson
Re: ' THE DEAL THAT BROUGHT SAADI TO CITY WAS DONE BY '
Thu Oct 01, 2015 8:32 pm
I hoped this is what would happen and it seems it's now coming to fruition, most African and European players dream is to play in the premiership, while we cannot give them that right now it's as close as some of them will get and not a million miles away. It's a sensible and lower cost way of getting good talent, you also flush out the players who can't quite cut with the cream rising to the top followed by a move to South Wales. They are also not making a step from development team to first team but from senior competitive football to championship.
Good work CCFC
Good work CCFC