Kuffour's Career Continues At Griffin Park

Last updated : 17 June 2006 By Thetashkentterror
Jo Kuffour
New Brentford boss Leroy Rosenior has made his first signing, snapping up one of his old players in diminutive striker Jo Kuffour. The one-time Arsenal trainee was reportedly stalling on signing a new contract with Torquay but apparently texted Gulls manager Ian Atkins earlier in the week to say he wanted to stay at Plainmoor. In a complete turnaround from then though Kuffour agreed terms on a one-year contract with the Bees on Friday evening, citing Rosenior as the deciding factor in the move even though he was reportedly critical of his manager during their time together in Devon. Rosenior has also made another signing in his first few days at Griffin Park, appointing ex-Aston Villa striker Paul Mortimer as his assistant manager.

Rotherham frontman Paul Shaw had made the short journey down to Chesterfield, linking up with the Spireites on a a two-year deal. 32-year old Shaw had moved to Millmoor on a free transfer from Sheffield United in January but he recently rejected a contract offer from the cash-strapped Merry Millers. Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood is interested in signing ex-Wrexham striker Andy Morrell from Championship outfit Coventry City. Calderwood was looking to snap up the 31-year old on a free transfer while he was manager at Northampton Town and is still keen on securing the services of the Doncaster-born attacker now he is the new boss at the City Ground.

Yoevil are looking to resign 19-year old Chris Cohen from West Ham, the midfielder having played 30 games for the Glovers on loan last season. Cohen left Huish Park on good terms and both parties are apparently keen to come to a deal on his transfer. Meanwhile 30-year old defender Scott Guyett has penned a one-year contract extension with the club, the Australian having joined Yeovil in 2004. New Glovers boss Russell Slade could also be set to clinch the signature of one of his old players, in Grimsby goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall. The 28-year old has rejected the offer of a new contract from Mariners boss Graham Rodger and has now left the Blundell Park club.



Out-of-contract Crewe defender Stephen Foster has been offered a two-year deal at newly promoted Championship outfit Barnsley, Foster having spent all his career so far with the Railwaymen. Meanwhile, at Gresty Road, veteran boss Dario Gradi has patched up his differences with Jon Otsemobor after the ex-Liverpool man admitted that he had been away longer than he should have been when he returned late for pre-season training. The Alex' are also running the rule over 21-year old Tottenham defender Marcel McKie, the ex-England youth international spending the next couple of weeks on trial in South Cheshire.

Striker Steve Brooker is not going anywhere according to Bristol City chairman Steve Lansdown, despite the 25-year old allegedly being the subject of an approach from Norwich City. Brooker has two years left to run on his contract at Ashton Gate and is also currently negotiating a new deal with the Robins, so any potential transfer would cost the Canaries a good amount of money. Experienced Brighton defender Guy Butters has signed a new one-year deal with the Seagulls, the 36-year old has been with Albion since the summer of 2002, and has a remarkable record of being an ever-present player in the last three seasons.

Now that Swansea skipper Roberto Martinez has been released by the club centre-half Garry Monk wants to take over the captains armband on a permanent basis, having been the stand-in skipper previously. 27-year old Monk commenting : "It would be a privilege and an honour, I feel I'm at the right age and captaincy can help raise your game." Northampton boss John Gorman is currently on a working holiday away from the club after being named as the new Cobblers manager on the 5th of June. The ex-Wycombe chief is on his travels until the 22nd of June but is still continuing to speak to potential new players as he looks to get his feet into the post quickly.

John Breckin is on the verge of being formally appointed as the assistant manager of Tranmere. Breckin was with new Rovers boss Ronnie Moore at Oldham and will rejoin him at Prenton Park, taking the place of John McMahon who has himself moved to the Gay Meadow to become Gary Peters' new number two at Shrewsbury Town. Gillingham chairman Paul Scally has said that the club will reluctantly accept substantial offers for any player, the Kent outfit reportedly being in debt to the Bank of Scotland to the tune of a staggering £10 million pounds, an astonishing amount of money owing for a now League One club. The Gills are still ploughing ahead with their plans to build a new stadium though, although a site has still to be chosen for the project.