I_AM_CANADIAN!
03-04-2008, 02:22
Source: http://www.tsn.ca/soccer/news_story/?ID=233353&hubname=
The Canadian Press
4/2/2008 4:14:25 PM
TORONTO - Toronto FC added some star power Wednesday in Laurent Robert, hoping there's still some shine to the 32-year-old former French international winger.
Robert comes with a big-name resume, although he failed to impress in a recent stint with English Premier League cellar-dweller Derby County.
"He's a tremendous player with a lot of talent and we expect him to come in and make an impact with our team straight away," Mo Johnston, Toronto FC's manager and director of soccer, said in a statement Wednesday. "He's played at every level, and is a true professional in every respect."
Robert signed with the Rams in January but only made three starts and one appearance as a substitute.
"It didn't quite work out for Laurent here but we wish him well in the future," Derby manager Paul Jewell said on the team's website.
Derby said Robert's contract, which ran through the end of the season, had been cancelled "by mutual consent." He looked hefty during a recent short stint on the field.
Robert's resume includes stints with Montpellier, Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Portsmouth, Levante and Newcastle, where he played under current FC coach John Carver.
"I've spent a lot of time with him, and I know a lot about his game," said Carver. "He'll be a big asset to the team, he's got pace, his ability on free kicks is top class and he's a great finisher."
Robert has a sweet left foot, able to score from distance, and has also connected from the right side. In one season with Newcastle, he scored 11 goals and set up 18 more.
Newcastle paid PSG 9.5 million pounds (C$19.2 million) in 2001 to get him. Fore that investment, they got Robert, who scored 31 goals in 181 appearances for the English side.
With the highlight reel moves reportedly came some attitude. At Newcastle, former manager Graeme Souness called him selfish and Robert's good and bad frustrated Sir Bobby Robson. In 2001, Robert came to blows with Newcastle teammate Andy Griffin in a training ground incident.
Robert played nine times for France, scoring once.
The Frenchman will be available for Toronto's game on Saturday against D.C. United, pending completion of his paperwork. FC will be hoping that he can provide the kind of flair from the wing that left when Ronnie O'Brien was traded to San Jose.
We have a few Newcastle fans on here... What do you think, does Robert still have it?
The Canadian Press
4/2/2008 4:14:25 PM
TORONTO - Toronto FC added some star power Wednesday in Laurent Robert, hoping there's still some shine to the 32-year-old former French international winger.
Robert comes with a big-name resume, although he failed to impress in a recent stint with English Premier League cellar-dweller Derby County.
"He's a tremendous player with a lot of talent and we expect him to come in and make an impact with our team straight away," Mo Johnston, Toronto FC's manager and director of soccer, said in a statement Wednesday. "He's played at every level, and is a true professional in every respect."
Robert signed with the Rams in January but only made three starts and one appearance as a substitute.
"It didn't quite work out for Laurent here but we wish him well in the future," Derby manager Paul Jewell said on the team's website.
Derby said Robert's contract, which ran through the end of the season, had been cancelled "by mutual consent." He looked hefty during a recent short stint on the field.
Robert's resume includes stints with Montpellier, Benfica, Paris Saint-Germain, Portsmouth, Levante and Newcastle, where he played under current FC coach John Carver.
"I've spent a lot of time with him, and I know a lot about his game," said Carver. "He'll be a big asset to the team, he's got pace, his ability on free kicks is top class and he's a great finisher."
Robert has a sweet left foot, able to score from distance, and has also connected from the right side. In one season with Newcastle, he scored 11 goals and set up 18 more.
Newcastle paid PSG 9.5 million pounds (C$19.2 million) in 2001 to get him. Fore that investment, they got Robert, who scored 31 goals in 181 appearances for the English side.
With the highlight reel moves reportedly came some attitude. At Newcastle, former manager Graeme Souness called him selfish and Robert's good and bad frustrated Sir Bobby Robson. In 2001, Robert came to blows with Newcastle teammate Andy Griffin in a training ground incident.
Robert played nine times for France, scoring once.
The Frenchman will be available for Toronto's game on Saturday against D.C. United, pending completion of his paperwork. FC will be hoping that he can provide the kind of flair from the wing that left when Ronnie O'Brien was traded to San Jose.
We have a few Newcastle fans on here... What do you think, does Robert still have it?