Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter
DALEY
Jamaica international Omar Daley looks to be well on his way to joining English Championship division outfit Bradford City as they look to strengthen their squad with the opening of the January transfer window.
Daley's United Soccer League (USL) division one club, Charleston Battery, yesterday confirmed that a transfer request dated on the first of January 2007 has already been sent to the USL first division and is expected to be approved in the next couple of days.
"We have already submitted a transfer request to the lead head office for Daley to head to English Club Bradford," said Charleston Battery club official, Betsy McAdams.
"The request was dated for January 1st, but we don't have any information availiable right now on a transfer figure," she added.
The speedy midfielder, now 25, is expected to join fellow Reggae Boy Donovan Ricketts pending the approval of a work permit.
However, as to whether he will be knocking heads with compatriot Jermaine Johnson remains to be seen.
Johnson, a player Bradford signed back in July, may be on his way out of the club following interest expressed in him from several clubs.
Stoke City, which recently signed another Jamaican striker, Ricardo Fuller, has been listed among them.
Second stint
Should he get the work permit, this stint will be the second in England for Daley, who previously represented clubs Reading FC and Preston North End on his first outing in Britain.
In 2002, Daley had impressive stints for Everton and Leeds United but did not qualify for a permit then.
Bradford City is expected to file for Daley's work permit application later this week and it is expected to be granted as the player now satisfies all the requirements.
"This is definitely a good opportunity for Omar. Any time a young player gets the chance to display his talent in a First World country, it's always a good thing," remarked Horace Reid, technical director of National Premier League outfit Portmore United, a club with which Daley still has ties.
"It is not only the international exposure that the player can benefit from, but they also have a good opportunity from a financial standpoint," he went on to point out.
