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Najar joining Anderlecht on month-long loan

Andy Najar isn’t ready to make a transfer move to Europe just yet, but he will be getting a taste of life overseas as he readies for a short loan move.

D.C. United is set to loan Najar to Belgian champions Anderlecht on a short-term loan that will run through the month of January, the club announced on Monday.

“This is another very good opportunity for Andy to gain valuable experience with a top European club,” said D.C. United General Manager Dave Kasper. “We look forward to his return for the second half of our pre-season.”

Najar, 19, is coming off a strong third season as a pro, having established himself as a solid right back after changing positions during the 2012 season.

He joins an Anderlecht side that will be playing three matches in January. Two league matches and a Belgian Cup match.

Comments

  1. This is a basically an extended trial. Training is all fine and dandy for evaluating players but there is no substitute for game action. If he impresses, I’m sure the loan will be extended.

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    • wrong. DCU is already in preseason so they won’t be just letting him stay for no reason. After his training stint, this is a way for Anderlecht to see him again, and in a game, before they commit to buying him. Think of this as an extended test drive before purchase.

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      • Ummmm we are saying the exact same thing just in different ways, An extended “trial” and entended “test drive” is the same thing essentially.

      • except that the loan will never, ever be extended. Thats not how the MLS does business, nor should it. They now have a month to decide whether they want to buy him or not.

      • I agree with the sentiment up to the point that they could pull a Montero and do a lengthy loan. Though I think we do that more when we want a player off the books but are willing to fudge the timing and the amount of recompense. Or they could pull a Landon or Beckham to indulge a powerful player’s whims. You wanna stay a little longer, fine.

        But I think in practice you’re right here because Najar is a hot enough property with limited links to US soccer (capped by Honduras, European aspirations) whom we may not see for a while/ ever again when he transfers. You give em a taste and then talk turkey.

      • Absolutely, they can afford him but the question looms would they pay the asking price?? Anderlecht should have a good amount of money in the bank from earing a place in CL group Stage and from their sales the last few seasons. Just sense ’10 they sold Lakaku for €22m, Legear €4.5m, Mazuxh €3m, Boussoufa €8, van damme €3.5m, and Polak €3. On the buying side, in that same time frame, they’ve highest they paid for a player was €3m for Mbokani and they will more than triple that amount when they sell him.

    • Read the part where Kasper says he’ll be back for the second half of preseason. Does this sound like a club that’s going to loan him out longer? The only way Andy is missing this season is a large transfer package, and that’s clearly not what the sides agreed on.

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    • At least part of this may be because it is easy for non-EU passport holders to play there since there are no caps on the number of foreign players a team may have (or tough work permit requirements like the UK).

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    • I think it’s one of a few leagues like Scotland, Holland, Sweden, or Denmark which are strong enough in reputation and pay where they provide the European stage players are looking for,but without the UK work permit hassle or the top leagues’ playing time risks. Good but not too good. Really, not even necessarily all that great or superior compared to MLS. But the pay is probably better, European play is possible, and the rep is high enough where your NT coach won’t ostracize you. Even if you really aren’t playing that high a level, or are still basically at MLS’ level.

      I know ManU can kick our butt, but AZ? Anderlecht? Nordj-whatever? Parkhurst’s team looked like a mess.

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      • Totally agree. I’ve been making the same argument for years. When people assume ‘European’ soccer is always better, I often ask if they believe that any team from the Czech Republic or even Scotland would, hands down, beat any MLS team on any given day.

  2. is 3matches really enough for a loan? I imagine he must be getting a chance to start in each game otherwise whats the point of him on the bench and getting 14mins total from all 3 games.

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    • It’s training with another group of players, and visibility. I’m assuming Anderlecht entered into loan without guaranteeing any playing time. They have their own needs, and Najar’s will come second. That said, if he blends in quickly and provide a rest for one of their defenders, then great for both parties.

      Reply

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