Odense players refuse deals

Six Odense BK players face an uncertain future after refusing to sign performance-related deals with the club.

Uncertain future
Midfield players Claus Madsen, Ulrik Johansen, Sune Heilbo, Morten Panduro and Claus Pedersen, and left-back Morten Rasmussen all have contracts which expire in the summer and all will be looking for new clubs if they cannot agree new deals with Odense.

A necessary measure
The Superligaen club have been forced to introduce the new, performance-based contracts because of financial problems and sports director Lars Høgh believes that while they may be unpopular, these deals are a necessary measure if the club are to survive.

’Not something I'm happy about'
"As a club we just have to manage the economic development, which we can with the new salary system," said Høgh. "One could easily say that it's not the players' market any more, but it's not something I'm happy about. We will not renew all six contracts and I will not put names on the people who will not get a extension at the moment."

Performance-related pay
Some of the players involved are known to have been involved in negotiations with the club but are reluctant to accept the performance-related deals where payment varies in relation to the club's league performance.

Hansen to quit
Meanwhile, Odense have announced that 26-year-old defender Johan Byrial Hansen is set to join first division outfit FC Fredericia on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move.