Accra Hearts of Oak’s Anthony Annan managed to beat the European transfer deadline last Wednesday when he completed a move to Norwegian side, IK Start.

Annan, one of the key performers for the Phobians has signed a three-year deal that would see Hearts of Oak earning $200,000.

At the beginning of the season, Annan attempted to seal a deal with Blackburn Rovers but failed to secure a move with the English premiership side.

The midfielder’s departure increases the player exodus that has hit the present league leaders in the domestic premiership.

Defender, Stephen Ofei is also reported to have completed a move to the Bulgarian league.

Meanwhile, the club has issued a release explaining the exodus.

According to the release, "Our club is in the process of finalising the transfer of Anthony Annan and Dan Quaye to IK Start of Norway and Chongqing Lifan Football Club of China respectively.

For four others, Bernard Dong Bortey, Ablade Morgan, Charles Vardis and Stephen Offei are also on trials with various foreign clubs."

The release said the situation has been engendered by the fact that during the January FIFA transfer window, some of our players had invitations for justifiers. "Some of the players like Bernard Dong Bortey, Dan Quaye and Ablade Morgan have been around for sometime and, hence, it would be imprudent to deny them this opportunity," it explained.

The release also observed that in view of the club’s withdrawal from the Africa Cup, it will be unwise to also deny the said players an opportunity they would have had, by way of exposure during the Africa Cup series.

"Mindful however, of the need to participate competitively in the on-going One Touch Premier League, our club intends to rely on the players remaining and the newly-signed on to achieve this aim," the release added.