Roosendaal swoop for Ikedia
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Article summary
RBC Roosendaal have signed Nigerian forward Pius Ikedia in a loan deal from Dutch rivals AFC Ajax.
Article body
Better offer
The 22-year-old forward had looked set for another season at FC Groningen, the club where he has spent the current campaign on loan. But Roosendaal won the race for his signature after matching Groningen's offer to Ajax and proposing better terms to the player.
Professional approach
"On a sporting level, there is not much difference between the clubs," Ikedia's manager Bob Maaskant said. "But Pius is a professional and he plays for money. Don't forget he has a family to support back in Nigeria." Bob Maaskant is the father of Roosendaal's coach Robert Maaskant.
World Cup star
Previously a fringe player at the Amsterdam Arena, Ikedia made 26 appearances for Groningen this term, scoring once. He also played in Nigeria's three matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup finals. Meanwhile, Roosendaal striker Henk Vos, 34, has signed a one-year contract extension.
