Sven heading East to sign Thai player

[limbo]

BANGKOK, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will travel to Bangkok this week to complete the signing of Thai international Suree Sukha, the country's soccer federation said on Monday.

 

 

 

Suree, who was initially denied a work permit by Britain's Home Office, should agree terms with the club on Friday, said Ong-Arj Kosinkar, the federation's general secretary.

 

 

'Sven will be here on the 16th,' Ong-Arj told Reuters. 'He is interested in three Thai players but he will sign Suree for sure.'

 

 

If the deal goes through, the 25-year-old attacking fullback, who earns just $300 a week in the domestic league, will become the first Thai to sign for a top-flight European club.

 

 

Along with fellow Thais Kiatprawut Saiwaeo and Teerasil Dangda, Suree was invited for trials at City by ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who bought the club in July for 81 million pounds while living in exile in London.

 

 

On Friday, the Manchester Evening News said City would this week sign one of the three players, who would immediately be sent out on loan.

 

 

Thaksin's critics have dismissed the City takeover and the club's interest in Thai players as publicity stunts aimed at helping the billionaire tycoon return to politics after his ouster in a coup last year.

 

ESPNsoccernet 12/11/07

[Faustian]

Indeed, are they any good? I somehow doubt it...they would've surely been spotted before if they were? Thaksins machinations continue...

[chuckwoww]

Another shrewd move. Mr.T is getting a lot of support from the Thai community (and associated hubbies) in the Manchester area.