IT’S COMMON THESE days for footballers to write open letters thanking the fans of the club they are leaving.
Former Barcelona, Chelsea and Cameroon star Samuel Eto’o has agreed to join Antalyaspor in Turkey and penned a heartfelt message to supporters of Sampdoria, where he spent the second half of last season.
Eto’o writes:
“Dear Blucerchiati,
I’ve been blessed to spend these past few months with you.
To my pleasure, I have discovered here a crowd of warm, passionate, affectionate and supportive fans… it’s time for me to leave, but wherever I go, I will always remember wha it is to be in a place where football is not only a passion but a way to keep a family together.
“A BIG ‘Thank You’ to the UC Sampdoria staff who helped me settle down and gave me the opportunity to once again experience the pleasure to place in the Serie A. Thank you Sampdoria Lawyer Romei Antonio for his constant help… Of course a special ‘Thanks you’ to our president, a father to me, who made all of it possible. He believed in me from the first to the last minute, and fro that I will forever be grateful to him.
“It was an honour to be part of your army. You will always be in my heart.”
Touching stuff… but we’ve seen something similar before. Back in January, the former African Player of the Year posted the very same message (barring a couple of words here and there) on Instagram after parting ways with Everton.
That’s just lazy, Sammy.
Jez we’re like a poor man’s Toulon at this stage with all the foreigners! Would prefer to see some of our young academy players given a chance.
Neither name jumps off the page at you..
Jesus though, would really hurt if words did that.
Two short term signings 1 of which is an amatuer what would be wrong with giving academy players a chance. Once again no plan from Foley. His term in charge will be another 2 years wasted
Two excellent signings. Sean Doyle isn’t an amateur. He has been David Pocock’s understudy with the Brumbies, not to mention his 2 seasons with Ulster who didn’t want to lose him.
Agree. Some good articles online about how highly Ulster rated him
When has going into the ERCC with inexperienced academy player’s been a recipe for success?
Ah stop the negativity. Yes I agree that we didn’t need a fullback with Earls, Zebo and Conway looking a quality back three but getting an openside was crucial. Who else would we play seven? There currently isn’t a fit open side in the entire squad.
It’s a long season and we have alot of long term injuries. Munster are giving their Academy Player (David Johnston and Stephen Fitzgerald) game time this year in the pro12 and are playing very well. These experienced foreign players coming in short term, will be a bonus to the development of the young players learning their trade. On the team sheet Leinster won Heineken Cup: 2009 – 4 foreign players plus foreign coach 2011 – 5 foreign players plus foreign coach 2012 – same as 2011. Munster 2006 – 3 foreign players plus Irish coach 2008 – 2 foreign players plus Irish coach.
Compliments on the research. Great post
so hard to know if people are being sarcastic or not through comments… :(
I’d imagine they might end up extending Sean Doyle’s deal. He’s a better openside than anyone injured or fit currently on their books
plus jack o’ donoghue another Academy Player who has been a very promising player and future Munster captain.
Good news for our southern brothets in arms. Still won’t be good enough to beat a resurgent Leinster unfortunately. But there will be competition.
I know Leinster in group of death but I have gone for them at 18/1…
When is this resurgence due?
Was good enough twice last season
Not looking to the future, DF?
Munster Saracens franchise.To la brave and faithful….
Nice bit of French thrown in there aswell
That’s the joke Ronan.
Agh I see…. because of all the French players Munster have just signed…
Spanish word but sure you knew that…
Jonathan, I’m not quite sure. I know Sean Doyle isn’t a project player as he’s already Irish Qualified. Move fringe players or increase competition ( Madigan to Munster
* to other provinces. Leinster have quality backrow cover in their squad that munster would take ( Dominic Ryan Josh Van Der Flies). Ulster have a rake of centres that they could share
Question; is the ruling on NIQ players not enforced any more or was it never official?
Botha (until Christmas at least), Sagario, Chisholm, Saili, Amorisino are 5 NIQ. Stander turns IQ on Saturday, and Sean Doyle, Van Der Heever & Bleyendaal are all project players.
I thought the ruling was 4 NIQ players (being reduced to 3) and 1 designated project player?
Sagario, botha Amorisino Doyle all gone early next year. Stander irished on Saturday. Doyle is Irish qualified.Sagario Doyle and Amorisino are only short term cover for long term injuries to Archer, TOD Pom and Felix