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07.08.2005 League Report

Hearts transfer Agyemang to South African club

07.08.2005 LISTEN
By GNA

Accra, Aug 7, GNA - After six months of contractual struggle between Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club and their striker, Louis Agyemang, the player has finally been transferred to South African Professional league side Kaiser Chiefs.

Agyemang, an influential figure in the 2004 squad of Hearts, which won the maiden edition of the Confederations Cup competition, will be with the South African side for the next three football seasons. Hearts and Chiefs trashed out the deal at the close of last week and the players International Transfer Certificate (ITC) has since been forwarded to the South African side.

The transfer was at the request of former Hearts coach, Ernst Middendorp who is currently in charge of the South African team. Coach Middendorp is on record to have converted the player from a typical defender to a striker last year.

Mr Ernest Thompson, Board Secretary of Hearts who disclosed this to the GNA Sports in Accra would however not reveal the amount involved in the deal as it seems the management of the Club prefers to keep the figure out of public domain.

The Board Secretary said contrary to reports that the Club was not aware of the players departure to South Africa, Hearts was on top of the situation and knew the whereabouts of Agyemang, adding that it was a decision of the Club to handle it their own way.

Mr Thompson said the Club see the transfer as a perfect opportunity for the player to return to active soccer than to serve the six-month ban imposed on him by Hearts following his deliberate refusal to report for training.

According to the Board Secretary the player reverts to Hearts after the end of his three-year contract.

Agyemang was hardly found in the starting line up Hearts this year as a result of the contractual disagreement between him and the Club. The player aided by his uncle, popularly known as "Uncle Bob" however insisted that they have no contract with Hearts and filed for a floating status from the Status Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Uncle Bob's attempt to secure a floating status for the player, however, hit a snag when the GFA ruled that Hearts had a legitimate ownership over the player. The player, despite the ruling stayed out of Hearts training and subsequently lost his position with the senior national team, the Black Stars as well.

His persistent absence at training led to an imposition of a six-month ban on him by Hearts the management for a breach of contract. The transfer therefore ends the long-standing dispute between the player and the Club and provides him with a fresh opportunity to continue with his football career.

Agyemang joined the junior side of Hearts, Auroras in 2002 and was promoted to the senior side a year later as a defender. He hardly picked a regular place in the team till German coach Ernst Middendorp took over the Club last year and converted him into a striker, scoring important goals in the Confederations Cup campaign for Hearts. 07 Aug 05

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