Sport

Reds fail in bid for Croatian
by Chris Stanton, 21 January 2008

Reds fail in bid for Croatian

Liverpool have failed in a bid to sign Croatia Under-21 international Domagoj Vida after the 18-year-old rejected a move to Anfield.

Vida believes his career would be better served playing regular first team football with his Croatian club Osijek than occasionally warming the bench with The Reds.

Valued at £400,000, Rafa Benitez had been confident of landing the prodigy, but Vida’s agent Ivan Cvejetkovic revealed the player had other ideas.

"I was proud of Domagoj Vida," said Cvejetekovic.

"He appreciates the offer but he also thinks it would be better if he could still prove his quality playing in the Croatian league with Osijek instead of having a spot only on the Liverpool bench."

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Comments

OsijekFan - 23 January 2008 11:44: He made a great decision, not because Liverpool isn't a great club, but because he is still too young for a move like that. He would be just another talented player who didn't make it. I can tell you for sure that he isn't cocky and that he expects first team football right away, but he is smart enough to know that if he stays in Osijek he will gain more experience than by sitting on the stands.; Report this to a moderator

kk - 21 January 2008 21:04: well, i do agree with you clindfield, rafa's policies sometimes show signs of brilliance, however it is also the same sign that makes some players hesitate to join... also, vida should appreciate to be approached by a super club (and he is), right? I mean players are sometimes cocky to the extent that they think they should play 1st team soccer immediatly, while they should consider other factors such as getting used to new league atmosphere, other 1st team players, and most important; performance. In my opinion he made an unwise choice, but i dont think its wrong....it takes time to prove ur a 1st team material, even torres went through it.; Report this to a moderator

clindfield - 21 January 2008 16:04: I'm a Liverpool supporter but i have to say this is good decision from Domagoj.; Report this to a moderator

ali - 21 January 2008 15:46: liverpool need to sign better plays tht would adapt to english football and need to sale players like crouch kuyt and so.; Report this to a moderator

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