Blaise Nkufo, in red, is a rumored Seattle Sounders FC target today according to Swiss sources. (SF.tv photo)
UPDATE: Paul Bollendorff, Blaise Nkofu's agent, confirms the interest of the Americans. "This transfer is conceivable, because he is geographically closer to his family in Vancouver. Nkufo can draw two years...(contract with Seattle)." (Link)
UPDATE: Meanwhile, Nkofu himself seems to indicate nothing is yet done with Seattle, and that his focus is on Twente's remaining matches and the Swiss effort in the World Cup: (Google translation from this story) "A transition to the United States is not at issue. What I'll do next season? I'm still not concerned. I'm happy in Twente and at present there is no question of a transition to the United States. There are also stories that I want to act in baby rooms, but it is nonsense. The coming months are dominated by only two goals. I would first realize the objective of Twente and then play in the World Cup in South Africa to Switzerland. I look forward to this and then I decide about my future."
Breaking news, or at least breaking rumors via the internet. Accoring to this translation from Le Temps, 34-year-old Swiss striker Blaise Nkufo is close to signing with Seattle Sounders FC:
According to the SonntagsBlick, Swiss international Blaise Nkufo will be transferred next year to the Seattle Sounders in Major League Soccer. The gunner of Twente Eschede (111 goals since 2003 for Dutch) is joining his wife and two children, living in Vancouver, 200 km from Seattle (U.S.).
Nkufo, 34, is close to signing the contract, the newspaper said. Arriving at the end of Twente lease this summer, it will be free, and a shift in North America should not diminish his chances of being part of the selection of Swiss Ottmar Hitzfeld for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as he must finish the season in the Netherlands.
Nkufo should commit for two years with the club on the West Coast, which played its first season in 2009 in Major League Soccer. The player best known in Seattle is the former Arsenal striker and Swedish international Fredrik Ljungberg.
The original Swiss article from SonntagsBlick is here.
Nkufo had 109 goals in his first 203 appearances for his current club, Dutch side FC Twente. Just yesterday a Nkufo assist helped Twente win a 2:1 thriller. Last November The Telegraph/UK posted this article about the striker:
Nkufo may not be a familiar name in England, but he has been around for a while.
One of the game’s late developers, he first made his debut for the national side seven years ago but spent five years out of the side before returning to the fray just in time for the World Cup qualifying campaign.
Kufo formed a deadly strike partnership with captain Alexander Frei, scoring five goals and helping Switzerland to pip Greece to automatic qualification.
UPDATE: More background on the Swiss striker can be found in this WorldSoccer.com feature. “Blaise is an extremely calm, discreet and thoughtful guy. Sometimes he thinks a little too much. He's a perfectionist in the way he approaches his profession. It explains the consistency of his performances and why he is still going strong.”
Critics often claim he is slow, yet it has not prevented him developing into a Dutch league scoring sensation. Athletic, very strong in the air and with impeccable instincts in and around the box, he has over 100 Eredivisie goals in the bank, making him Twente's top marksman of all time.
As the Sounders prepare to leave on Monday for Spain, we can now all discuss our first foreign transfer rumor of substance this pre-season. It appears that Nkufo has been a late bloomer, which is a good thing when considering his age (34). Would he be starting material? Offense off the bench? What about his role for the Swiss in the 2010 Fifa World Cup? If you were the Sounders, is this a deal you would make? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Comments
Interesting. He's older, and won't be available until late July...but he could bring a needed boost to our offense in the second half of the season.
I wouldn't overpay for his services, but if he already lives in Vancouver, no reason not to bring him on board for depth.
from wikipedia..
"since the beginning of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, he has scored in all 6 matches for Switzerland."
Sounds like a offensive threat we could use during our champions league/US Open Cup/MLS cup run.
This would be a coup by the sounders. As a fan of a rival team I hope they don't make it ;). He would be a great addition to MLS however and certainly help for the 2nd half of the season.
this would be a fantastic addition to the mighty blue & green, with the potential of losing montero in the next two seasons a striker is in order. beware MLS the SOUNDERS are coming!!!!! up sounders, up with ECS!!!!!!!
Strong heading ability, natural instincts in the box? Um, you bet I make this deal.
...to have experience down the stretch and options on the attack. As long as he won't break the bank aty age 34, sounds good to me.
If this is true then who is leaving the team, to me this story is just plain rumor.
Tucci
If someone's on the IL that has a senior slot by that time then no one needs to be cut.
N'Kufo would be an amazing addition after the World Cup. It seems to be more than just a random rumor if you search his name. There are quite a few dutch articles confirming the same thing (use Google translator, great for Dutch).
This would make my offseason for the Sounders. I was waiting for something to happen, and this would be better than I expected.
Coup for the Sounders if they can secure his services. The guy is proven quality and the Sounders do need a point man up front. Good for MLS too. Enough w/ the CBA negotiations. Sign the contract and begin playing, already!
Would be a GREAT addition, especially with Montero potentially leaving next season, Jaqua out on injury (and not particularly effective anyway) and not really having much depth up front beyond the starting lineup and Levesque. Although Estrada has yet to be seen
See updates added to the story. Nkofu's agent says such a move is somewhat conceiveable because the player's family is in Vancouver. Nkofu himself denies any final talks and wants to concentrate on the FC Twente season and the upcoming Swiss participation in the World Cup.
N'Kufo's comments mean nothing to me, other than exactly what you would expect from a professional currently under contract with another club. You wouldn't expect Montero, or Ljundberg to be talking about their future somewhere else while still wearing our uniform. It's a professional saying what he is suppose to say. It only makes me want to see him in rave green even more.
He would be a man among boys in the MLS - the guy is one strong scoring machine/goal rate with world class skill as a trigger man opening himself up for good service while simultaneouly finding shot channels. He's particularly effective punching it in on-frame (bread & butter in the MLS) when causing/taking advantage of defender-keeper miscues. He fits in with Ljundberg's European set up style - and in the scheme of things encouraging Zakuani, talk about a mentor for Steveo. The only thing better would be to see this turn into a situation where he motivates Steve into bringing some of the techniques we saw from Didier Drogba last summer. I hear Nkufo is a nice guy too, and really loved in Switzerland by the fans.
He would be a man among boys in the MLS - the guy is one strong scoring machine/goal rate with world class skill as a trigger man opening himself up for good service while simultaneouly finding shot channels. He's particularly effective punching it in on-frame (bread & butter in the MLS) when causing/taking advantage of defender-keeper miscues. He fits in with Ljundberg's European set up style - and in the scheme of things encouraging Zakuani, talk about a mentor for Steveo. The only thing better would be to see this turn into a situation where he motivates Steve into bringing some of the techniques we saw from Didier Drogba last summer. I hear Nkufo is a nice guy too, and really loved in Switzerland by the fans.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!