BROMSGROVE Rovers are waiting in anticipation as they aim to complete the shock signing of a player who has something in common with David Beckham and Juan Pablo Angel.
The Greens are on the verge of signing striker Dino Melitas, who has previously played in the United States' Major League Soccer for Chicago Fire.
The 22-year-old American-born Greek player is a Football Freestyle skills champion in the USA, and is currently working in the UK for his sponsors Nike and Red Bull.
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He was introduced to Rovers through defender Daryl Burgess.
The club are now awaiting international clearance in order to complete the deal.
Melitas arrived in the UK in November and spent two months training with Championship side Southampton working on his match fitness.
Director of football Steve Daniels described the move as a "big plus point" for the club.
Meanwhile Greens caretaker boss Duane Darby admits he is facing some tough decisions ahead of Saturday's British Gas Business clash with Swindon Supermarine at the Victoria Ground.
Darby's biggest decision will be who to opt for in the goalkeeping department.
Karl Lewis is available again after suspension, but Chris Taylor is vying to retain his place after keeping a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over Clevedon Town at the weekend.
"It leaves me with a tought predicament," said Darby.
"Karl has been magnificent since I have been at the club.
"I think he was unfortunate to be suspended.
"But Chris Taylor came in and did very well.
"He is another one who hasn't been involved much but his attitude has been superb.
"Either way, how I am going to work it is going to be difficult."
Although he was pleased with the attitude of his players in Saturday's victory, Darby admitted there may be places still up for grabs.
One of those will be that of key winger Matt Birley, who will miss the match due to personal commitments.
Darby said: "I might make a couple of changes as there were a couple of things that I wasn't happy with.
"It was an ugly win but at this moment in time we will take that.
"They didn't cause us any problems until the last 10 minutes when they threw lots of players forward.
"Dividends has paid off and now we have got to try and put another run together.
"We have done quite well against the sides at the top but struggled against the ones at the bottom.
"They hadn't lost for quite a bit and we had to turn a corner.
"The conditions weren't the best and the pitch was lively.
Along with the performances of new signings Alex Cowley and Anthony Robinson, who joined last Friday, Darby singled out utility man Chris Cotterill for praise.
Cotterill, who has been out of the first-team picture in recent weeks, performed well in an unfamiliar role at left-back in Saturday's win.
"I tried him at left back in training and he did it on Saturday," Darby added.
"He had a point to prove as he has not been involved.
"But he has not complained once, and I thought he was outstanding."
Left-back Les Hines will miss out again on Saturday because of his injured hamstring, while the Greens are still waiting to find out how long Kevin Banner will be out with his bout of tendonitis.
Rovers under-18s take on Alvechurch at Lye Meadow tomorrow night (Thursday) in the Worcestershire Junior Cup semi-final (7.45pm).
Posted by: bing, Chicago Suburbs, USA on 3:51pm Wed 27 Feb 08
Ahem <cough>
Mr. Melitas may be a fine player and I really don't mean to rain on his parade.
But... No one here remembers a player by this name ever suiting up for the first XI. Or the first XLVII for that matter. Some friends here believe he may have played in our youth system (yes, we have one).
I'd just like it to be clear in case you find his skills unimpressive. Despite the tenor of the press article, he did not have a notable MLS career.
Ahem <cough>
Mr. Melitas may be a fine player and I really don't mean to rain on his parade.
But... No one here remembers a player by this name ever suiting up for the first XI. Or the first XLVII for that matter. Some friends here believe he may have played in our youth system (yes, we have one).
I'd just like it to be clear in case you find his skills unimpressive. Despite the tenor of the press article, he did not have a notable MLS career.
Yeah...to be more honest, no one I know has ever heard of anyone who has ever heard of Dino Melitas (had to scroll back up to get the name right)...
I'm not saying he lied on his application... :D
And after all, if the manager says he's good enough, then he is...period.
Maybe he played for a youth team that carried the Fire name or was somehow affiliated or something...
But he never played in MLS...or was ever on the roster...absolutely positive on that one.
Chicago Fire all-time player register (the letter "M"):
http://web.mlsnet.co
m/history/register.j
sp?content=players_m
&club=t100
Yeah...to be more honest, no one I know has ever heard of anyone who has ever heard of Dino Melitas (had to scroll back up to get the name right)...
I'm not saying he lied on his application... :D
And after all, if the manager says he's good enough, then he is...period.
Maybe he played for a youth team that carried the Fire name or was somehow affiliated or something...
But he never played in MLS...or was ever on the roster...absolutely positive on that one.
Chicago Fire all-time player register (the letter "M"):
http://web.mlsnet.co
m/history/register.j
sp?content=players_m
&club=t100
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