By Chris O'Brien
June 27 2002

Bluebirds boss, Lennie Lawrence is looking to turn to Europe in the hunt for new players. Lawrence is expected to bring in some players on trial deals in the pre-season. Let's hope these possible new signings, are better than our last foreign signing, Jorn Schwinkendorf! Cardiff City will be looking to Europe for new signing over the summer. Lennie Lawrence is expected to make a short-list of possible signings, and will scout them over the coming weeks.

A few European players are likely to be invited to join the club on a trial basis during the pre-season.

"I have had players from abroad recommended to me and we will look at the best of them, We are not going to rush in and sign somebody on a recommendation, but I will invite players for a trial and have a close look. Nobody has been invited over yet and I haven't identified those I would like to take a look at, but I want to ensure we don't miss out on talented players who could do a good job for Cardiff City" Lawrence told the Echo.

The last foreign players to join the club were Dutch right wing back, Winston Faerber, and German midfielder, Jorn Schwinkendorf.

Faerber was a decent player, who featured in our 1999/2000 Division Two campaign. He joined the Bluebirds on the Bosman ruling from Dutch club, Den Haag. Faerber made 31 starts for the Bluebirds, scoring 1 goal. The Dutchman left the club the following season, returning to Holland to play for FC Den Bosch.

Jorn Schwinkendorf, was a 6’5 giant who joined the club in the same season as Faerber. He played in the midfield, but could also move into the defence. Unfortunately, the £110,000 signing was a bit of a disaster for the Bluebirds, Jorn made only 5 appearances before returning to Germany, after apparently being ‘home sick’.

Lets hope Lennie can find the next Luis Figo on his search across Europe!