San Jose knows way to Reds

[Dave_the_Red]

Liverpool have completed the capture of Athletic Bilbao defender Mikel San Jose.

 

The 18-year-old central defender becomes Liverpool's second signing of what has been a quiet pre-season, after the two clubs struck an accord over a €400,000 (£270,000) fee.

 

San Jose is highly thought of at the Basque outfit and was expected to progress to the club's second team next season, after a series of mature displays in junior sides.

 

Bilbao concede they were loath to let a player of promise leave, but have wished him well as he sets about a fresh challenge on Merseyside.

 

"For us it is bad news, but Mikel has decided on the choice of Liverpool and it was impossible for us to fight against a European giant," read a club statement.

 

San Jose is now looking forward to the opportunity to link-up with his compatriot Rafa Benitez (pictured) at Liverpool.

 

"It was a surprise for me but I have decided to accept the chance at Liverpool," said San Jose.

 

"I am very excited but now I know that I have to work more each day to get in the first team."

[Stevie H]

second? we've signed bleeding loads.

[Jezzman]

second? we've signed bleeding loads.

 

San Jose is number 10 :

 

1: Andriy Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen)

2: Sebastian Leto (Lanus)

3: Lucas Leiva (Gremio)

4: Krisztian Nemeth (MTK Hungaria)

5: Andras Simon (MTK Hungaria)

6: Gary Mackay Steven (Ross County)

7: Alexander Kacaniklic (Helsingborg IF)

8: Marvin Pourie (Borussia Dortmund)

9: Nikolay Mihaylov (Levski Sofia)

10: Mikel San Jose (Atl. Bilbao)

[Rory Fitzgerald]

San Jose is number 10 :

 

1: Andriy Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen)

2: Sebastian Leto (Lanus)

3: Lucas Leiva (Gremio)

4: Krisztian Nemeth (MTK Hungaria)

5: Andras Simon (MTK Hungaria)

6: Gary Mackay Steven (Ross County)

7: Alexander Kacaniklic (Helsingborg IF)

8: Marvin Pourie (Borussia Dortmund)

9: Nikolay Mihaylov (Levski Sofia)

10: Mikel San Jose (Atl. Bilbao)

 

But how many would get served in The Albert ?

[fyds]

Depends what they've been charged with.

[Jezzman]

But how many would get served in The Albert ?

 

None they're all feckin OOT's

[Raj]

8: Marvin Pourie (Borussia Dortmund)

 

Who he? I must have missed that one.

[Rich Gobey]

All the center backs that never were,

Are parking cars and pumping gas.

 

Heed, Palleta.

[Bailo]

Who he? I must have missed that one.

Just about to post the same! Slipped under the radar that one.

[jon_hall]

None they're all feckin OOT's

 

They'd be fine pre match then.

[Kahnee]

Just about to post the same! Slipped under the radar that one.

 

That's three of us then

[Jonesy]

That's three of us then

 

 

and four for that matter

[Guest Sabre]

And me...

 

Who is number 7 on the list as well?!

[Alonso]

And me...

 

Who is number 7 on the list as well?!

16 year old Swedish LW

[Bailo]

Pourie is a German striker who impressed in a recent trial apparantly.

[Maldini]

We've sign Aussie keeper Dean Bouzanzis as well

[Kahnee]

Pourie is a German striker who impressed in a recent trial apparantly.

 

Half-inched from TIA, thanks to Google's cache:

 

A number of players have been having trials for the past few months and, of these, German striker Marvin Pourie has been impressive enough to warrant the offer of a contract which will see him join Liverpool on a free from Borussia Dortmund.

 

Thanks also to Heighway's insistence, Liverpool have resisted bringing in foreign players into their academy. Yet their only two imports - Danish goalkeeper Martin Hansen and Swedish midfielder Astrit Ajdarevic - played pivotal roles in their FA Youth Cup win. Indeed, Heighway had previously praised Ajdarevic, describing him as a real talent and a great choice.

 

The key, therefore, is the quality of the players concerned. Pourie, a striker who bears a passing resemblance to cult hero Erik Meijer, was an automatic choice in the youth squads at Dortmund and the fact that he was signed after the Liverpool coaches watched him closely during training indicates that they feel he is good enough.

 

Yet his omission from the German U17 squad at the European championships currently being held in Belgium has to be worrying.

 

Of course, there have been many players who were overlooked to represent their countries at youth level but who went on to star at a senior level. Steven Gerrard was one of them so there has to be a degree of faith that Liverpool’s scouts are more capable at spotting talent than those working for the German national side.

 

What is certain is that Pourie hasn’t been overlooked because he is too small: at 16 he is already six feet tall, which means that in him, Jordy Brouwer and Peter Crouch Liverpool will have tall strikers playing throughout all set-ups.

[torn]

Cool, if we keep this up we will be able to have a team of carraghers.

 

11 centre halves. Awesome.

[dalennie]

Reports suggest we have bought a new spanish stopper- M. san jose. Young lad. One for the future.

[anny road]

Reports suggest we have bought a new spanish stopper- M. san jose. Young lad. One for the future.

 

 

thanks for telling us

[Red_Rob]

Too many OOTers there. Time for a Reclaim The Players campaign!

[mooks]

San Jose is number 10 :

 

1: Andriy Voronin (Bayer Leverkusen)

2: Sebastian Leto (Lanus)

3: Lucas Leiva (Gremio)

4: Krisztian Nemeth (MTK Hungaria)

5: Andras Simon (MTK Hungaria)

6: Gary Mackay Steven (Ross County)

7: Alexander Kacaniklic (Helsingborg IF)

8: Marvin Pourie (Borussia Dortmund)

9: Nikolay Mihaylov (Levski Sofia)

10: Mikel San Jose (Atl. Bilbao)

Anyone want to take me up on the bet I offered a couple of months ago that we would sign at least two more squad players (after Leto and Voronin)?