Pimpong Moves To Norway • Benson For Rennes Trial

Ghana's striker Razak Pimpong has joined Norwegian side Viking. The 24-year-old moves from Danish club FC Copenhagen on a four-year contract.

The transfer deal, worth about US$700,000 to FC Copenhagen, will keep the forward at the club until the end of the 2010 season.

"We're happy to have completed the deal for Pimpong," Viking sports director, Egil Ostenstad said.

"He has demonstrated his potential as a world class player while playing for his national team and his previous clubs.

"We are confident the arrival of Pimpong will improve our fortunes in the upcoming season."

Pimpong is expected to partner Nigerian Peter Ijeh in Viking's attack when the league starts on April 9.

Ghanaian teenager Ekow Benson also has started trials with French side Rennes.

The 17-year-old, who plays for the premier side Tema Youth, was invited by the Ligue 1 side just five days after making his debut for the Black Stars.

Rennes are thought to be keen to arrange a match behind closed doors at some point during Benson's two-week stay.

Benson was one of five debutants who played in Ghana's 1-0 loss to Brazil in a friendly in Stockholm.

Ghana's coach, Claude Le Roy, invited the talented midfielder for the Stockholm game after spotting him during a local league match.

The game against Brazil was Benson's first trip to Europe and Le Roy is not surprised how the teenager conducted himself.

"He did not know what was happening to him just before the game against Brazil.

"While we were warming-up for the game he was not concentrating on what our team was doing.

"He couldn't stop looking at the Brazilian star, Ronaldinho, throughout the entire session.

"After the game he was so happy to have played some few minutes and I know this is a start of a great future for Benson."

Midfielders Anthony Annan, Bernard Yao Kumordzi, Michael Helegbe and defender Alfred Arthur were promoted to the Black Stars from the Olympic team, with Benson coming from the under-17 side.

Le Roy says many of the youngsters will feature prominently in his future plans.

Source — BBC