Junior
ended up at Walsall following an unsuccessful trial spell with Bolton Wanderers.
He played in our pre-season game against Malawi, finding the net and
impressing everyone with his good touch and unpredictable style of play.
He disappeared for a while, but was soon back on the scene as Colin Lee
finalised the deal thanks to some help from the FA. He signed on loan
until January 18th from Brazilian club - Treze. He came at a time
when Jorge Leitao desperately needed a striking partner. Corica was out
of form. Zdrilic was injured and Birch was to inexperienced.
He made two
sub appearances against Reading and Watford before being handed his
first full start against Shrewsbury Town. There was no doubting we had a
real talent on our hands, but it was a talent who needed to learn a lot
about the English game, and learn he did.
It took him 5 games to break
his duck, and he finally did it against Notts Forest in the League Cup.
His understanding with Leitao was almost telepathic. They struck up one
of the most entertaining partnerships Walsall fans have ever seen.Junior
wasn't blessed with blistering pace, great strength on the ball or great
ability in the air, but he was awesome on the ball. His movement helped
create chances for both himself and his team mates. He soon understood
what it took to be a success in the English game. His goal against
Preston which saw him pick the ball up in his own half, ride a few
tackles, cut inside then curl the ball in to the top right hand corner
from 30 yards was simply phenomenal.
Fans were worried we wouldn't get
his loan deal extended, but an extortionately priced buy out clause in
his contract meant no one dare bid for him. After a bit of wrangling
with the Brazilian FA and Treze a deal was secured to keep him until the
end of the season. The goals continued to flow until the end of the
season, with Junior managing to find the net 16 times in 42 appearances.
Quite a record for someone's first season in English Football.
When his
contract with Treze came to an end in the summer we offered Junior a
permanent deal. Junior never rejected the deal. He didn't even give us
an answer.
It was believed the agent "owned" the player, and
was trying to auction him off to the highest bidder. Derby came in with
an offer and signed him on the eve of the season starting. Colin Lee
told the Express and Star it was "all about greed", blasting
the player and his agent for how they behaved. He made a good start with
the Rams, scoring goals early on (including the winner against Walsall)
but tore his Cruciate ligaments in his 7th game for the club.
Despite
there being a lot of bad blood between Walsall and
Bica
spent one month with the Saddlers in October 1999. As with most of our
foreign signings, no one new what to expect. We
were told that Bica was the David Beckham of Peru. He was the most
famous player in the Peruvian league, a TV and media star.
Moreira Herivelto, or Harry as
he was known to his team mates played all of his football in Portugal
and Brazil prior to joining the Saddlers.
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
