LFC finalise co-operation deal with KRC Genk

[Maldini]

There were rumours about this about a week back, it's been confirmed now. Seems like a win-win situation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2010/01/23/liverpool-fc-s-deal-with-belgian-club-krc-genk-will-help-stars-come-to-anfield-100252-25665192/2/

 

 

LIVERPOOL have struck a co-operation deal with Belgian club, KRC Genk.

 

Following a series of meetings an agreement has been signed until 2014 that could have benefits for both clubs.

 

Genk representatives flew into the city for Thursday’s night’s reserve game at Prenton Park where technical director Herman Vermeulen and club scout Roland Janssen ran the rule over the Reds’ 3-3 draw with Manchester City.

 

The co-operation deal will work on three levels with Liverpool and Genk sharing information from their scouting databases.

 

While Genk are interested in taking some of Liverpool’s fringe players on loan, the main attraction for the Anfield club is the opportunity to bring in African and South American players to England via Belgium.

 

As Belgium is not subject to the same restrictions found in UK employment law, Genk will be able to act on Liverpool’s behalf to sign non-EU players who could later join the Reds once they qualify for European citizenship or meet the 75% quota of international games to receive a work permit.

 

Liverpool have faced problems retaining non-EU players in recent years, most notably Argentine winger Sebastian Leto who was loaned to Greek club Olympiakos and eventually sold to Panathinaikos after his Italian passport was revoked.

 

EU regulations also delayed Chilean Mark Gonzalez’s arrival from Albacete four years ago.

 

Genk director general Dirk Degraen was at Melwood last week, where he met with Reds manager Rafa Benitez and chief scout, Eduardo Macia.

 

Degraen said: “Liverpool wants to sign young talented players from Africa and South America. But because of the British law it isn’t possible.

 

“We can get the players to Belgium and let them develop. It would be a win-win situation for both clubs.

 

“Also, Liverpool has a very big squad and many players don’t get many minutes.

 

“Genk can offer a solution for that, if we are offered the players that can make our squad better.”

 

Genk are currently tenth in Belgium’s top-flight but are typically challenging among the European places each season behind Anderlecht, Standard Liege and Club Brugge.

 

The Jupiler League club, coached by ex-Belgian international Franky Vercauteren, are thought to be interested in taking one of Liverpool’s strikers on loan.

 

However, as Benitez is looking to strengthen in this area with Fernando Torres currently sidelined and following the departure of Andriy Voronin this month, he is unlikely to release any more forwards unless any signings are made before the transfer window closes next weekend.

 

The co-operation deal with Genk is not dissimilar to the agreement between Manchester United and Belgian second division club Royal Antwerp. United’s long-standing partnership has seen a host of youngsters gain first team experience in Belgium, including John O’Shea, Jonny Evans, Frazier Campbell and Ronnie Wallwork – the latter being sent home in shame following an altercation with a referee.

 

 

 

 

 

[dl2009]

Excellent news. I could never understand why we didn't do something like this earlier.

Edited January 23, 2010 by dl2009

[Maldini]

Excellent news. I could never understand why we didn't do something like this earlier.

 

We had Parry in charge.

[dl2009]

Good point, well made.

[Hassony]

maybe we should send Amoo and Ayala there for the rest of the season

[Kite]

This is a good piece of news and hopefully we actually use the link.

 

As to why we never did this stuff earlier... I thought we did!? We've partnerships with a Hungarian side, an African side and I think we have also some partnership with Oldham too. Just we never really seem to use them, other than to get over the regular few Hungarians each summer...

[Maldini]

This is a good piece of news and hopefully we actually use the link.

 

As to why we never did this stuff earlier... I thought we did!? We've partnerships with a Hungarian side, an African side and I think we have also some partnership with Oldham too. Just we never really seem to use them, other than to get over the regular few Hungarians each summer...

 

They're different deals though, we were just getting good young players from the Hungarian side. We'll be sending players to Genk which is where the advantage is. It gets experience for our young players and lets us sign young players from outside the EU that we haven't been able to get until now. Don't remember anything with Oldham.

Edited January 23, 2010 by Maldini

[Kite]

Don't remember anything with Oldham.

May have gotten my wires crossed on that one alright

[Andy @ Allerton]

May have gotten my wires crossed on that one alright

 

 

Did you mean Duncan Oldham?

[Zoob]

May have gotten my wires crossed on that one alright

 

Maybe confusing it with the deal we had / have with Crewe?

[cymrococh]

Great news this. Arsenal have a similar deal don't they? I seem to recall a team picture of some Belgian side with 10 Africans and Igor Stepanovs.

[stressederic]

Great news this. Arsenal have a similar deal don't they? I seem to recall a team picture of some Belgian side with 10 Africans and Igor Stepanovs.

 

Stepanovs really stood out in that team. Because he was s***.

[cymrococh]

I wonder if there are specific kids we're pushing this through for?

[floyd]

I wonder if there are specific kids we're pushing this through for?

Probably Amoo, Ecclestone, Butchman and Della Valle. Be a bit like Arsenal's set up, and how they are trying to get their youngsters through like Campbell and Silvestre