Transfers of Monday, 18 February 2013

Source: gideonbaah.com

Kotoko to loan out Gideon Baah to Finnish club

Gideon Baah will be loaned out to a club in Finland for a season in an attempt to get some games under his belt, claims his agent Eby Emenike.

Baah has struggled to get first team action this season even though he had an excellent run towards the end of last season, after returning from injury.

This lack of playing time lead to the mutual decision between Gideon’s agent and officials of Kotoko to allow him time out of his Kotoko career to regain the fitness which once made him such a formidable force to reckon with. "Yes, I can confirm that a club in the Veikkausliga (Finnish Premier League) has shown an interest in signing Gideon for a season long loan,’ Eby said from her base in the UK.

She continued, “I am working with Kotoko to get things in place for him to take up this opportunity. Their transfer window will open in a few weeks which makes it possible for the move."

"Kotoko's reaction to the loan stint was positive and they are happy for him to go and experience Europe. He was not getting enough playing time at Kotoko, so it was time to see what else was out there for him. However, he is still a Kotoko player and is due to return after the loan spell."

"A few clubs were interested in him but I believe this club is the right level for Gideon at the moment. The club plays in the highest tier of Finnish football and will be playing in the Europa Qualifying rounds."

"I think football in Scandinavia will be good for him coming straight from Ghana. It will hopefully be a stepping stone and lead onto bigger things. Some young African players have gone straight into the 'big' leagues and have struggled to break into the first team. This club is somewhere I hope he'll break into the first team easily enough and get some experience and exposure".

"Kotoko has been good to Gideon and he in turn has been loyal to the club, but this is a decision based on his career progression. He will forever be grateful to Kotoko and their fans who have given him their unflinching support"