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.
Ha ha, in yer face Forest Fan…
Huckerby was instrumental in the recent defeat of David Beckham L.A. Galaxy; he has scored 2 goals in 3 games and has at least 3 assists…
And most importantly, he is not match fit… HE IS ONLY WARMING UP!!!!!!!!
Speaking exclusively to the Evening News, Huckerby revealed that:
– He had 12 offers to stay in the UK – including one from the Premier League.
– He could have earned four times as much by staying in England.
– He came close to retirement.
– He could have joined up with Jim Brennan and Carl Robinson at Toronto, but was put-off by the plastic pitch and the lure of the California sunshine.
– His family will stay behind in Norfolk.
Hucks on money:
‘I’d say it’s definitely not a money decision. It’s more the lifestyle and a different challenge. The money is like a quarter of what I would get here.
Hucks on Toronto FC:
“Obviously they [Toronto] had first rights on me but they play on astroturf and train on astroturf and it was a big doubt in my mind. But don’t get me wrong they are a great club and have world class facilities.
‘To be honest it’s a really nice living culture in California, the average temperature is 25 degrees all year round and it’s the safest place to live in America – it’s like the Norwich of the States.’
i support norwich and this guy is immense he will do brilliant for you!
hes past his best but is still a cracking player. play him left wing hes beater the 😀
He is certainly a good risk for the quakes, but we have seen more than one englishman wilt in the MLS summers.
Let’s see how much energy he has to inject running in Houston humidity, Jersey turf, and altitude of the Rockies…
His final goal tally for Norwich was 203 appearances, 48 goals. Not bad for a winger, he will be a good signing for you.
Just have a look on You Tube for the proof!
Bigus,
ok you think the world of him. I think he’s good and could do well but not an MLS legend in the making. I beg to differ about Huckerby being a better player than Robert. Huckerby played a match for England’s B side. Robert actually played a few matches for “Les Bleus” which included a certain Zizou. I’m not a pessimist, I am someone who’s a hell of alot more realistic about what he’s in for than you and a few other Norwich fans care to admit. Doug’s assessment is spot on in my opinion.
Doug. Not a bad assessment, but he a winger and not a forward. If the Earthquake revert him back to a striker they will be making a HUGE mistake. He has been a fab winger and will get goals too. An exciting player to watch.