FIRST ON SBI
The San Jose Earthquakes have reached an agreement with English striker Darren Huckerby after completing a trade with Toronto FC for his rights, sources with knowledge of the deal told SBI on Thursday. Huckerby will join the Earthquakes when the MLS transfer window opens on July 15th.
The 32-year-old former Manchester City and Leeds player had been in talks with Toronto FC for some time but will now join an Earthquakes squad that has scored a league-low 10 goals this season. Details of what San Jose traded to Toronto FC for Huckerby’s rights were unavailable, but one source believes allocation money was involved. Toronto held Huckerby’s rights via the discovery process.
Huckerby scored 34 goals in five seasons for Norwich City, playing both as a striker and a left winger. If you haven’t seen him play, here is some footage of him in action:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el3Q0-A9GN4&hl=en&fs=1]
What do you think? Will he be enough to spark San Jose’s putrid offense? Is this another mistake by Earthquakes GM John Doyle? Share your thoughts below.
I have followed Huckerby’s career since he was a Coventry City star more than 10 years ago. I think tom norwich above summed up Huckerby’s skills quite well. At his best Huckerby is absolutely brilliant, but he is not a consistent goal scorer. If he can get fit and avoid injury he should be an good addition for the Quakes and definitely will be fun to watch.
1: Huckerby was let go by Roeder as Roeder is an egomaniac and Huckerby owned the dressing room.
2: Huckerby plays on the left and is better than Robert. Robert is a journeyman who’s days are done. Robert has no pace now and is washed up. He came to the MLS overweight and not fit for the Championship. Huckerby has two years left and still has his pace.
3: I live in NY and watch the MLS. Huckerby is too good for it. Palace, Bristol, Celtic, Leicester and Burnley all wanted him this summer and he announced he would never ever play against Norwich. He still lives there and will be a club host/regular at the ground when he retires for sure.
4:Huckerby was still excellent in the Championship last year and the MLS is not the Championship.
Keep your low expectations if you chose but all San Jose fans are in for a treat….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZRPGhZfsOI
The last goal in the above against Sheffield Wednesday was just 2 months ago. Mazy run..one two with Dion and a nice finish.
the below was just 2 years seasons ago….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFONxUodUTU&feature=related
Enjoy pessimist!
I think it was Glenn Roeder who said he couldn’t guarantee he’d get first team football, not me just paraphrasing what I read. I won’t get into an argument about Legends when it comes to Norwich versus Forest if you won’t ~ we don’t want to go there, do we? Bottomline is that this league is tougher than you’re giving credit and as good a player as I think he was in his prime, I don’t expect him to light it up. I think he can do well in the league once he becomes acclimated but I’m not making him Mr. MLS anytime in the near future. Laurent Robert is a much better player than Huckerby and he’s only scored one goal so far this season. Now you’re telling me that Huckerby is gonna light up the MLS? I expected Robert, whom has been a favorite player of mine since he played @ PSG, to have scored more goals for TFC than he has at this point but I should be losing my damn mind with joy because Huckerby (the Norwich Legend) comes to MLS? Puhlease!!!! I hope he does well for San Jose but I’m keeping the expectations on the low side.
Darren Huckeby is %^&*$@# amazing. He will destroy the MLS. He is the dogs Boll%$#@.
Most Norwich fans thought he should have been kept ( Roeder needed to be king in Norwich) and the only reason he is over here is that he has such a love for Norwich (and still lives there) that he said he would never play against his team. San Jose are lucky..Win or lose he will dazzle and entertain. He is the king of mazy runs and special goals.
By the way as an Englishman living here I can say the MLS is not the fourth division…But it is the third..Sorry.. its League One and certainly no better.
@Norwich City Canary
What negative comments are you refering to? There were nothing but positive comments made about Huckerby. Some posted that he alone might not be enough to get San Jose in the playoffs, but nobody said anything bad about the player himself. Please put down the pipe and pay attention to whats going on.
The MLS is on a level with the fourth division in England? I’m surprised there isn’t more offense taken here from this remark. Why do Gullitt and Beckham struggle so much in a fourth division league, yet Beckham still gets called to play for England? Also, shouldn’t a Premier League team be able to crush an all star team from the fourth division? Maybe they just like being humiliated.
Huckerby is a Norwich legend and i’m sure he will suprise some of you in the MLS. One of the most exciting players to watch at this level, and at his prime he was almost unstoppable. Thats not to say he hasn’t got anything left to give, Hucks can still terrorise defences, score the odd wonder goal and completely change a game. A true legend, I wish him best and hope he does well for you!
Norwich fans:
We’ll take care of your guy. San Jose has a passionate, knowledgeably fan base – this is going to be exciting for him and us.
(Small aside to NC Fan: Beckham said no such thing. The better MLS clubs would be in promotion fights in the CC and lower end of the table in the Prem. I hope you catch a couple of games to see your lad in action.)
Ha ha ha.. could n’t get into your team… Did you prefer Jim Brennan????
ha ha ha ha ha ha … could n’t be guaranteed 1st team football.??? ha ha ha ha … Funny thing is, Darren could well have Forest as his second team, this Forest fan has tunnel vision.
Darren made the Norwich team a premiership team, I am not saying the rest did not play great as a team; but he was the icing on the cake required for 1st place from Christmas onwards in the Championship season.
I also remember Darren getting championship player of the month during his loan at Forest… could n’t get into your team??? Please do tell me your team’s preferred winger (as he played on the left in your 4 – 0 victory) in 2003/4?
Still can’t believe he won’t be running down our left wing when the new season starts in a month. Gutted. So much for our new heroes Mr Roeder, One presumes that you spoke a little ahead of yourself? Not quite as easy to sign quality players as you thought obviously.
The Earthquakes don’t realise how lucky they are…
Spare me the jealousy crap. He’s a good player but he ain’t lighting up the MLS.
I do recall he wasn’t re-signed because he couldn’t be guaranteed first team football and you’re telling us how great he is? (rolls eyes). Get a clue.
By the way Darren, you will never be forgotten – you were the best.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ He played on the left wing for us at Norwich. I remember you guys blubbing when he came to us after a loan move to you! You just hate him cos he turned down his hometown club to come somewhere that you don’t get shot whilst walking down the street!
Listen Forest Fan, when he played for you at the City ground against us, you won 4 – 0 he was your man of the match, you forget how well he played the last time you were pushing for the premiership.
In fact after he finished his loan for you he rejoined Manchester City and you were relegated to the third tier…
Goodbye.
Norwich fans are on crack. I’m a Forest fan and I like Huckerby but he sure as hell isn’t the second coming for MLS. You guys need to stay away from whatever it is that’s making you delusional (rolls eyes). Just because he played in England doesn’t make him great by any stretch of the imagination. Out of 162 matches for Norwich, he has scored 34 goals, that damn well doesn’t make him a great forward.
Sighs
I can only imagine the delight on San Hose Earthquakes supporters’ faces when they realise during Darren’s first match, just how good he is…!
And then, as he becomes more match fit, he will just keep on raising his performance level bar higher and higher every match he plays… just like he did in our promotion season…
^^ABOVE Paul Dickov is NOW totally crap. Apologies for spelling!
ps El Steve – you will eat you words!
Sky sports. I think it was Champions League coverarge with Gullit. I remember Beckham saying it to Tim Lovejoy (MLS programme I presume). From what Ive seen the standard is no way near even Championship but I enjoy watching bits. The biggest problem is the quality players (some pretty good ones) are totally overshadowed by the lack of depth in the poor ones ie the teams are completely unbalenced. For example Paul Dickov is no TOTALLY CRAP! He would struggle in the third tier now, hense the move to MLS.
I really came on here to wish Hucks the best not argue though so Im going to sign off!
Huckerby looks to be a good signing… but, really, bit of a lack of respect.
1) He won’t be the top scorer this year.
2) He won’t put up a brace a game.
3) He won’t be the best player in the league.
I think he will be a good addition but, please… think before inserting head in ass.
For the record most of the comments by TFC supporters about HUckerby that i read were in hopes of signing him.
You are very lucky to get Hucks – we love him here in Norwich UK. He is a Norwich legend, a player with a lot of class and one of the best to grace the team. Enjoy!
Scott C.
Dont think TFC let him slip away so much as he wanted to play in the sun (prob year round) and doesnt like field turf. San Jose had the advantage. I suspect Mo knew that when he came over but took a chance in trying to sign him.
Good luck Hucks! Doesn’t seem much excitement on hear but coming from a Norwich fan you’ve got yourself an amazing player that will rip defensives apart as he did for us for 5 years. Treat him well!
Norwich City Canary:
Where did you find those comments? Steve McClaren labeled the MLS quality of play as “lower premiership upper championship.” It is DEFINITELY better than fourth division football.
WE LOVE YOU HUCKS!
We will never replace you, even with the 56million pond takeover. All the best to you my friend. On The Ball City.
I’m going to go out on a limb here…Norwich fans like him!
Hi. Another norwich fan. I wish huckerby the best of luck at your club. He was a fantastic player here and a lot of fans at our club are angry at the way he was just cut loose. Looking at your team on wikipedia, then hucks is going to be your best player by far. You’ll be surprised how good he is if he can keep fit and he will be a fantastic player for you.
Darren Huckerby is FANTASTIC. He will be your best player by far. Superb skill. He will be your most fouled player too because all your opposition wont handle him. He will set up more tap in goals than he will score, despite this, he will still be your top scorer, regardless that your half way through your season.
He has shown more loyalty to his last club than ANY player in four divisions in the UK. Who do you know that has refused earning decent money because of the possibility of having to play against your current team? For Norwich to choose this coming season without him, is really foolish…
He will be massively missed and everyone knows that Toronto are foolish too!
Our offense isn’t going to get any worse, that’s for sure. I find even the slightest provocation for hopefulness about our offense thrilling. It’s going to be different, at least; it can’t be worse.
I hope Toronto can pull the trigger on Dickov. I know the contracts been offerred, but the longer it takes the more worried I am he won’t come.
“Beckham and Gullit have both said the quality of MLS is about 4th league compared to England” – Norwich City Canary
When did the posterboy of the MLS bad mouth his employer like this?
And i totally agree with SonicDeathMonkey. Should be a good addition to the league. Congrats SJ!
Most excellent news. Tony in Quakeland is right. Also, thanks for the insight NCC (most of the negativity was from TFC fans I think).
I saw a few Canary games a couple of seasons ago and knew Huckerby was class right away without knowing anything about them. This is a huge step in the right direction!
Good deal Quakes!
Although I don’t agree with “Norwich City Canary” – I think he’ll find MLS more challenging than he thinks. But it’s still an exciting signing….he’ll be a fun player to watch. Still can’t believe Toronto let him slip away…
Coming from a Norwich fan, You guys have signed a great player who will do very well for you, especially at MLS level. If you ask Norwich fans 99% would tell you that they are gutted he is not on NCFC’s books any more. He is a player that will excite you and have you on the edge of your seat. He can single handedly change a game with his skill and pace!
From the looks of it, Huckerby has the ability of making his own shot instead of relying on service. That kind of ability is needed in the league, nevermind San Jose. Good job Mr.Doyle.
I remember seeing him play last when Norwich was in the EPL, and he was there best player by far, completely driving there attack. If he has any of that left in him, and he should at 32, he’ll be a great addition…I can’t wait to see him in MLS.
Christ I cannot believe the negative comments on here! This guy is electric, a legend at Norwich. He got us into the Premiership and kept us in the championship singlehandedly.
If he can be so feared in the Championship in England (the second division) and also proved in the top division how is he supposed to fail for you? Beckham and Gullit have both said the quality of MLS is about 4th league compared to England and from what I have seen that is optomistic at best (not wanting to pick an arguement)Huckerby will be your player of the season – fact!
The only reason he left this country is because he said he would never be willing to play against Norwich City. You guys are so lucky, appreciate it!
@Will – Thanks for the explanation.
he has skill and is a hard worker, from what i can tell. good signing, not enough but a step in the right direction.
Look folks, if our forwards converted one quarter of their chances, we’d be in the play off race. Look at the Chivas game – two shots off the frame, flubbed finishes and a 1-0 loss on a late free kick goal. With a finisher, we win
this great news
Sorta saw this coming (was reported in several TO papers).
Im certain Mo has back up plans. I doubt Gerba is one of them tho, as he would have been contacted sooner. Gerba seems to be a bit of an enigma as hes great on the national team but played in 3rd division Germany and was recently released…
If this was the San Jose Earthquakes’ only new signing, then it may not have been enough to substantially help. However, word is that the team is also set to sign Francisco Lima and at least one other new player.
I guess we’ll soon see how much the team will have improved once the dust settles.
HomeyBoehme-This does not affect the McBride situation. TFC is next in line for allocation of returning player (McBride). TFC had a discovery claim on Huckerby. The McBride prob won’t get settled until the 15th as Chicago won’t want to give someone up until then since they can’t play McBride till then.
Gerba would be better than what we have.
I heard SJ has discovery on Ali Gerba. Mo better have gotten him in return. just what TFC needs, a better striker then Cunningham and CAN-CON to boot.
Does this affect the Brian McBride scenario? If not then I’m assuming Huckerby isn’t considered DP material? Or did Toronto have a “discovery claim” on Huckerby?
I think Toronto has San Jose’s first pick, so hopefully he doesn’t help them too much. Nice to see him in the league though.
Huckerby should help but I don’t know if it’ll be anything dramatic.
Nice work, Scoop. 🙂
Knew this was coming, but I’m still disapointed. He’d said he was concerned if his knee would hold up on the turf. I’m sure O’Brien talked to him when he got to San Jose.