TalkSoccer - Soccer / Football Forum - View Single Post

**Frank Cunha** · 13-01-2004, 09:59 PM

Sources within MLS have confirmed that the league and Blackburn Rovers have finalised the sale of Columbus striker Brian McBride to the Premiership club for an immediate transfer.
A reported three-year contract worth around $1,400,000 annually (750,000 pounds) is to be paid to McBride, with MLS garnering a transfer fee of under $1,000,000 for the 31 year-old U.S. international striker.

copyright © MLS
Although a work permit has not been granted as of this time, his past time in England and the amount of caps McBride has earned on the international level should leave the UK's Department of Employment happy.

Now the Columbus Crew must do without what simply can be said is the face of the young club, as McBride had been with the team since the first season. The team is expected to announce the trade in a press conference on Wednesday.

The Crew has been busy over the last 24 hours divvying up some of the salary cap space opened up with the transfer of McBride, bringing in veteran defender Robin Fraser and midfielder Manny Lagos in separate trades. The Crew also are expected to be given a "major" allocation by MLS with the transfer of McBride, which has happened in high-profile sales in the past.

As for McBride's new Lancashire home, he faces a quantity (perhaps not quality) of rivals for playing time under Graeme Souness. Veterans Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke have been inconsistent at best this season, as has Matt Jansen. The youthful Paul Gallagher is also in the mix, but McBride fills a large hole in Blackburn's squad in the role of a power "target" forward.

13-01-2004, 09:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
Frank Cunha Super Moderator Favourite Team: SL BENFICA -BEIRA-MAR Frank Cunha is Offline Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: UNION, NJ. USA Posts: 94,656 vCash: 3081 Rep: Rep Points: 5666 Country:	The official TalkSoccer Brian McBride thread: Sources within MLS have confirmed that the league and Blackburn Rovers have finalised the sale of Columbus striker Brian McBride to the Premiership club for an immediate transfer. A reported three-year contract worth around $1,400,000 annually (750,000 pounds) is to be paid to McBride, with MLS garnering a transfer fee of under $1,000,000 for the 31 year-old U.S. international striker. copyright © MLS Although a work permit has not been granted as of this time, his past time in England and the amount of caps McBride has earned on the international level should leave the UK's Department of Employment happy. Now the Columbus Crew must do without what simply can be said is the face of the young club, as McBride had been with the team since the first season. The team is expected to announce the trade in a press conference on Wednesday. The Crew has been busy over the last 24 hours divvying up some of the salary cap space opened up with the transfer of McBride, bringing in veteran defender Robin Fraser and midfielder Manny Lagos in separate trades. The Crew also are expected to be given a "major" allocation by MLS with the transfer of McBride, which has happened in high-profile sales in the past. As for McBride's new Lancashire home, he faces a quantity (perhaps not quality) of rivals for playing time under Graeme Souness. Veterans Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke have been inconsistent at best this season, as has Matt Jansen. The youthful Paul Gallagher is also in the mix, but McBride fills a large hole in Blackburn's squad in the role of a power "target" forward. __________________