Albion landed Liam Ridgewell on loan as part of a three-tiered operation – in more ways than one.
The Seagulls had to go through three stages to ensure they could bring in the MLS star, talking to the player, his club and the league.
And it appears there were three key factors acting in their favour as they held off stiff competition for a player with admirable experience both of playing in the Championship and leading a team to a trophy.
The 31–year-old left-back or left-sided centre-back arrives at the Amex during the close season in the States.
He has been given permission to miss the majority of pre-season training with Portland Timbers, the side he led to the title about a month ago and where he has one year*left on his contract.
As with any transfer, the Seagulls had to sell themselves to the player in a race which is believed to have included one Premier League club and at least two from the Championship.
But, before that, they had to secure clearance both from Portland and, crucially, MLS – who centrally own players’ contracts – that the temporary deal could go through.
One from the archive as Liam Ridgewell tussles with Alan Shearer
Once all parties were happy Stateside, Ridgewell and his club will have posed themselves the question: “Why Brighton?”
It seems three aspects held the key to the answer being in the affirmative.
Perhaps most significant for the player was his background with Albion boss Chris Hughton, under whom he played for Birmingham City in both the Championship and the Europa League during the first half of the marathon 2011-12 season.
It is likely that the working relationship Albion chief executive Paul Barber has with Portland’s general manager Gavin Wilkinson did not exactly hurt either in terms of communication between the clubs.
Ridgewell eases the ball away from Carlos Tevez
Barber worked closely during his time at Vancouver both with Portland and their North West rivals Seattle. Timbers’ front office knew and trusted who they were dealing with, which will have eased talks and negotiations.
And the third aspect which did Albion’s cause plenty of good – not for the first time – was the situation Ridgewell would be coming into, in terms of training facilities, stadium, infrastructure and, despite recent setbacks, potentially exciting times on the pitch.
Portland were crowned MLS champions by winning the play-off final (or MLS Cup final as it is, slightly confusingly to a British audience, officially known).
They are due back at training next month and Ridgewell will join up with them in time for their last two friendlies. That means he will head west after Albion have hosted Bolton on February 13.
As with all international transfers, he is not eligible to play until FIFA re-opens next Monday, a restriction which also applies to Albion’s recent Irish signing Richie Towell.
The Seagulls are happy he is well rested since his last campaign ended in dramatic style on December 6 as Timbers beat Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup final.
Ridgewell played 32 games during the American season.
Hughton said: “He will bring extra experience to our defence at a crucial time and will give me an option both in the centre of defence and at left-back.”
Original article
The Seagulls had to go through three stages to ensure they could bring in the MLS star, talking to the player, his club and the league.
And it appears there were three key factors acting in their favour as they held off stiff competition for a player with admirable experience both of playing in the Championship and leading a team to a trophy.
The 31–year-old left-back or left-sided centre-back arrives at the Amex during the close season in the States.
He has been given permission to miss the majority of pre-season training with Portland Timbers, the side he led to the title about a month ago and where he has one year*left on his contract.
As with any transfer, the Seagulls had to sell themselves to the player in a race which is believed to have included one Premier League club and at least two from the Championship.
But, before that, they had to secure clearance both from Portland and, crucially, MLS – who centrally own players’ contracts – that the temporary deal could go through.
One from the archive as Liam Ridgewell tussles with Alan Shearer
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- Ridgewell highlights the Hughton factor in Albion move
- Treble-winner Dugard resigned to starting new season on the sidelines
Once all parties were happy Stateside, Ridgewell and his club will have posed themselves the question: “Why Brighton?”
It seems three aspects held the key to the answer being in the affirmative.
Perhaps most significant for the player was his background with Albion boss Chris Hughton, under whom he played for Birmingham City in both the Championship and the Europa League during the first half of the marathon 2011-12 season.
It is likely that the working relationship Albion chief executive Paul Barber has with Portland’s general manager Gavin Wilkinson did not exactly hurt either in terms of communication between the clubs.
Ridgewell eases the ball away from Carlos Tevez
Barber worked closely during his time at Vancouver both with Portland and their North West rivals Seattle. Timbers’ front office knew and trusted who they were dealing with, which will have eased talks and negotiations.
And the third aspect which did Albion’s cause plenty of good – not for the first time – was the situation Ridgewell would be coming into, in terms of training facilities, stadium, infrastructure and, despite recent setbacks, potentially exciting times on the pitch.
Portland were crowned MLS champions by winning the play-off final (or MLS Cup final as it is, slightly confusingly to a British audience, officially known).
They are due back at training next month and Ridgewell will join up with them in time for their last two friendlies. That means he will head west after Albion have hosted Bolton on February 13.
As with all international transfers, he is not eligible to play until FIFA re-opens next Monday, a restriction which also applies to Albion’s recent Irish signing Richie Towell.
The Seagulls are happy he is well rested since his last campaign ended in dramatic style on December 6 as Timbers beat Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup final.
Ridgewell played 32 games during the American season.
Hughton said: “He will bring extra experience to our defence at a crucial time and will give me an option both in the centre of defence and at left-back.”
Original article