Better than Pahars, apparently............

[Harry Holmesdale]

PALACE TO SIGN LATVIAN STRIKER
******************************

According to a report in today's Daily Telegraph, Palace are on the verge of signing 21-year old Latvian striker Andrejs Rubins for 1.5million.

The deal will, of course, be subject to a satisfactory medical and the granting of a work permit. Apparently, a number of premiership clubs have been tracking this player.

Rubins was labelled "the fastest player I have worked with" by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger who pulled out of a 2 million deal in the summer when he signed French star Sylvain Wiltord for a club record 13 million. Latvian coach Gary Johnson, who has now masterminded the sale of 6 million worth of players to England from Latvia over the last two years said: "It is a great signing for Palace. "I think Rubins is good enough for the Premiership and will prove to be great value for money. "A deal was agreed with Arsenal for the player in the summer but it fell through because they signed Wiltord instead. "Rubins is probably the best player in Latvian football right this minute and the Palace fans will love him."

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I just don't want us to be a laughing stock any more, is that too much to ask?

[Cannon]

Please please please please please please please please please please please be true.....I have wet myself with excitement of getting a new DECENT player - and not on bloody loan!

[lightweight]

be nice for kolinko to have someone to talk to as well http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Dave]

EAGLES SWOOP FOR WINGER
Planet Football
Tuesday, October 17, 2000

CRYSTAL PALACE have emerged as front-runners in the chase for Latvian winger Andreij Rubins, despite interest from the likes of Tottenham and Arsenal.
Rubins played for Arsenal during a trial during the close season but, although his Skonto Riga colleague Igor Stepanovs did arrive at Highbury, Arsene Wenger decided not to bring the wide man to North London.

There still looked to be a good chance of the player coming to the capital when Spurs offered him a trial at White Hart Lane.

Director of football David Pleat promised he would monitor the 21-year-old's performances for Latvia in the World Cup qualifiers, but interest was already growing elsewhere with Wolves boss Colin Lee keen on Rubins, but not the £1.5 million asking price.

Palace are ready to match Skonto's valuation of the player and, providing he passes a routine medical and successfully receives a work permit, the deal should be completed.

Nottingham Forest and Bolton have also been credited with watching the speedy flanker, but he appears to be bound for Selhurst Park.

by Adam Marshall

[arussell]

Can we have the return of "Super Matt" as well then please to form the perfect partnership ? http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/smile.gif

[Gooders]

I hope we haven't jumped the gun with this story - there appear to be a lot of other clubs interested now!

[Baloo]

Originally posted by Dave:
Arsene Wenger decided not to bring the wide man to North London.


Isn't that just a grown up Mark Goldberg?

[NRM]

The words that worry me if we are on the verge of signing him are 'work permit'. We always seem to have trouble gaining work permits for our foreign players.

[Harry Holmesdale]

.....not for Zohar, Amsalem or Ismael though!

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I just don't want us to be a laughing stock any more, is that too much to ask?

[lightweight]

Originally posted by NRM:
The words that worry me if we are on the verge of signing him are 'work permit'. We always seem to have trouble gaining work permits for our foreign players.

we didn't seem to have to wait too long for kolinko's though did we?

[lightweight]

maybe it's easy for latvians to get work permits!! as he already has his and could play tomorrow!

[Neil the Eagle]

"Good buy, Rubins Tuesday,
Come on home, you superstar
We've baked a cake and yer fans are waiting
And David Icke said ..."

[Psychokiller]

I think he only got his permit early because he applied for it when he was on trial with Wolves.

[This message has been edited by Psychokiller (edited 17 October 2000).]