Transfers of Wednesday, 25 July 2007

Source: 90 Minutes Newspaper

Hearts Hijack Iddi Yahaya from Kessben

KESSBEN FC's bid to sign King Faisal stalwart defender, Iddrissu Yahaya appears to have hit the rocks after the deal fell through at the last minute following Hearts of Oak's move for the former Black Meteors player. Yahaya was destined to sign on the dotted lines for the Kumasi based club after agreeing terms with them only for the two clubs to fail to reach an agreement for the transfer to go through. As King Faisal and Kessben FC reportedly haggled over the fee, Accra Hearts of Oak sneaked in at the last hour to offer an irresistible offer for the player who is said to be a Phobian sympathiser.

According to very reliable sources close to Iddi, as he's affectionately known among soccer fans, Kessben FC's insistence on paying only a pittance for the player incurred the wrath of the President and bankroller of King Faisal, Alhaji Karim Grunsah who felt a player of Iddrissu Yahaya's calibre deserves more. Unconfirmed reports also have it that both Kotoko and Kessben FC impressed upon the player, whose contract had a few days to run to go to the Status Committee of the GFA to seek a free agent status to join them on a free as they thought that made good business.

When 90 Minutes sought clarification on the issue with Mr. Oduro Sarfo, the Administrative Manager of King Faisal, he confirmed that it was true that the player is on his way to Hearts of Oak and that everything has been concluded with the Phobians. “The release letter and card “A” has been released to Hearts in a straight swap deal involving Reuben Senyo”. He explained that even though the player's contract with King Faisal ended on the 18th of this month, he released the letter to Hearts on the 16th, two clear days before the expiration of the player's contract.