LONDON - South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi is close to joining Fulham after the Premier League club agreed a transfer fee with Golden Arrows.
LONDON - South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi is close to joining Fulham after the Premier League club agreed a transfer fee with Golden Arrows.
The 24-year-old was impressive during a recent pre-season spell with the west London team and will complete his move to England once he is granted a work permit.
"We reached an agreement," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said yesterday. "But it will have to go to a tribunal because we have to apply for a work permit. We're talking about a guy who played the last 17 matches for South Africa, who's a very key figure in their World Cup team.
"It would be a bit strong to say he's been on trial here. He came over once before, and we liked him, but he was really unfit, and this time he wanted to show us 'this is what I really am like'. But it was less of a trial because we knew the player."
Dikgacoi, who is back home, went to Fulham recently positive of his chances of joining the team.
"I'm fitter than before and I want to work hard during my visit at Fulham to enhance my chances of joining them. I was there before and I know what will be required of me," he said at the time.
His manager Mike Makaab flew to England at the weekend hoping to clinch the deal with Fulham. - AFP with additional reporting by Sowetan
Dikgacoi move faces final hurdle
LONDON - South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi is close to joining Fulham after the Premier League club agreed a transfer fee with Golden Arrows.
LONDON - South African midfielder Kagiso Dikgacoi is close to joining Fulham after the Premier League club agreed a transfer fee with Golden Arrows.
The 24-year-old was impressive during a recent pre-season spell with the west London team and will complete his move to England once he is granted a work permit.
"We reached an agreement," Fulham manager Roy Hodgson said yesterday. "But it will have to go to a tribunal because we have to apply for a work permit. We're talking about a guy who played the last 17 matches for South Africa, who's a very key figure in their World Cup team.
"It would be a bit strong to say he's been on trial here. He came over once before, and we liked him, but he was really unfit, and this time he wanted to show us 'this is what I really am like'. But it was less of a trial because we knew the player."
Dikgacoi, who is back home, went to Fulham recently positive of his chances of joining the team.
"I'm fitter than before and I want to work hard during my visit at Fulham to enhance my chances of joining them. I was there before and I know what will be required of me," he said at the time.
His manager Mike Makaab flew to England at the weekend hoping to clinch the deal with Fulham. - AFP with additional reporting by Sowetan