By Nodley Wright, Staff Reporter
Lowe
NATIONAL STRIKER Onandi Lowe could soon become a permanent member of British Third Division side, Rushden and Diamonds.
A report on the club's web page on the Teamtalk web site stated that an agreement has been reached for the permanent transfer of the big Jamaican for a fee believed to be in the region of 200,000 pounds.
The deal will be made possible by the decision of the MLS to significantly cut its asking price to facilitate Lowe's desire to play in England. The MLS originally wanted one million pounds for Lowe.
"Diamonds today confirmed that they have agreed a fee with America's MLS for the permanent transfer of Jamaican international Onandi Lowe," the report said.
"An undisclosed fee, thought to be in the region of 200,000 pounds, has been agreed with the MLS for the Kansas City Wizards frontman, who hopes to agree personal terms in time to play in Saturday's Division Three clash with Rochdale," the report continued.
Lowe's manager, Patricia Garel, confirmed an agreement had been made between the two parties and that discussions were taking place regarding the player's personal terms.
"What I can say is that Onandi has been offered a contract by Rushden and Diamonds which he is considering," Garel told The Gleaner yesterday.
"Rushden and Diamonds and the US Major League Soccer (MLS) have agreed on a contract. As to the terms being offered to Onandi, the details were only presented to him in writing yesterday afternoon.
"Seeing that his loan period does not expire until Friday, he has time to carefully consider and decide on the best terms and conditions available to him," said Garel.
The club's managing director, Mark Darnell, was optimistic an agreement could be reached.
"We have started the ball rolling with Onandi regarding personal terms. I am quite confident that we can come to an agreement as the player has indicated a willingness to stay at the club. The ideal scenario is to have everything signed to enable Onandi to be in the squad for Saturday's game against Rochdale," he said
Lowe, who has 63 caps for Jamaica and has scored 23 goals, has been on loan with the club since December and has impressed manager Brian Talbot and his staff. In his 12 league games and one FA Cup tie Lowe has found the back of the net seven times.
Of his seven goals, six have come at Nene Park, Rushden and Diamonds' home ground. So impressed has Talbot been with Lowe that he has urged the club's ownership to "stump" up the cash to ensure the player remains at the club.
