Earthquakes keeper gets extended trial at Hibs
Nana Attakora
Hibs boss Pat Fenlon today revealed he’s offered Canadian internationalist Nana Attakora an extended trial at Easter Road.
The former San Jose Earthquakes central defender has been training with Fenlon’s squad in recent days but is now likely to spend an extra week in Edinburgh as Fenlon continues to cast an eye over him.
Although the transfer window is now shut – Fenlon having brought in eight new players during January – signing the 22-year-old remains a possibility as he is a free agent and can agree a contract at any time.
The 6ft 2in stopper began his career with Toronto, winning three Canadian League titles and being named that country’s Under-20 player of the year twice in succession before moving to the MLS.
Capped at every level by Canada from Under-17 to full international – he has two caps – Attakora’s contract with San Jose has expired and, although they are keen to re-sign him, he’s equally determined to explore the possibility of playing in Europe.
However, while he has obviously impressed sufficiently to be invited to spend a few more days at East Mains, Fenlon has also admitted that in having already brought in Eoin Doyle, George Francomb, James McPake, Tom Soares, Pa Kujabi, Jorge Claros, Matt Doherty, and Roy O’Donovan in recent weeks, he’s “probably gone as far as I can”.
But in saying that, Fenlon insisted he was continuing to look to the next phase of rebuilding his squad, readily conceding the new arrivals, the vast majority of whom are on loan, were quick fixes intended to address Hibs’ immediate priority, namely escaping the SPL relegation zone.
And he revealed that if “something exceptional” were to come up he’d be knocking at the door of chairman Rod Petrie.
Other than confirm he was having an extended look at Attakora, Fenlon would only say: “We’ve had a few trialists in and we’ll continue to look at players in relation to moving on looking to the future.”
To that end, Fenlon believes some of those currently at Easter Road on a temporary basis could win themselves a more permanent stay between now and the end of the season while conceding there were others like on-loan Wolves defender Doherty who were more likely to return to their “parent” clubs or move elsewhere.
He said: “The goal at the end of the season is just to make sure we stay in the league. There are a few of them we would like to keep but there are one or two we won’t be in the position of being able to keep.
“Matt, I think, will go back down and probably be very close to Mick McCarthy’s first team next season.
“For one or two others, they are here and can maybe get themselves in to position to get a contract if they perform to the level I know they are capable of doing and one or two others can perform and get contracts elsewhere.”
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Friday 25 May 2012
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Comments
There are 15 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
clamhan
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 12:28 PM#6 I hope Duke of Cumbernauld can cheer up, although it looks increasingly unlikely. Another dour contribution :)
Pilrig Cabbage
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 05:13 PMKello? Please no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
helsinki
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 08:37 AMbtw kello means time or clock in finnish
helsinki
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 08:37 AMhe sounds like a decent player-i got a bit excited as at first i thought he was a goalie.we could do with a really good goalie.what about kello?he would only cost 85,000. :) well-he would be free in the summer.Fenlon is really beginning to impress me.i like his thinking-these new players have to earn a contract.he sounds ruthless-thats what we havent had at easter rd for ages...
First Green
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:48 PMSo while Hearts try desperately to get players off their wage bil we can afford to look at players to strengthen squad for now and next season. 2011 was a terrible year for Hibs but clear signs that rest of 2012 and 2013 may be much better. Will Hearts exist in 2013?
Portsmouth 657
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 07:41 PM#5 Jokes best old club
Peterperfect
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 06:38 PMBit sad that Pattison was not signed as like me he would be a PERFECT addition.
Peterperfect
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 06:36 PMYou wish #6, getting a little stiffy thinking about it are you? The game; clean sheet is good and the only way is up as the players gel. It will be a bit like last season I predict.
Baldrick
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 05:45 PMVery lucky indeed. To be honest I thought they would have done better. The won't find the 1st division much easier.
Portsmouth 657
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 05:26 PMI hope hibs can stay up although it looks increasingly unlikely. A VERY lucky draw today..
The Saint
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 04:21 PMGeorge bests old club
FFF
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 03:01 PM#2 (very apt)....If you'd stuck to 'Irish', your racism might have been less obvious, and it may even have been funny.
Name Withheld
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 02:52 PMHearts look doomed.
FTH22inarow
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 02:39 PMCan't be true, he's not oirish!
FFF
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:14 PMNana Attakora is a full back.....who is the 'keeper' refered to in the headline? Sharpen up Scotsman
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