By Nodley Wright, Freelance WriterTHE STEADY progress of national striker Onandi Lowe in British football continued yesterday when he completed a switch from Second Division Rushden and Diamonds to First Division Coventry City.
Coventry will be Lowe's third English club following Port Vale (Second Divison) where he made five appearances before returning home and Rushden. Prior to that, he played in North America for Kansas City Wizards (MLS), Montreal Impact (A League) and the Rochester Raging Rhinos, also in the A League.
Lowe's transfer was completed yesterday on the final day on transfers for all divisions below the Premiership in Britain.
"Eric Black has made a transfer day signing, snapping up Rushden and Diamonds striker Onandi Lowe until the end of the season," a report on Coventry's website said yesterday about the man who was due to be out of contract at Rushden in May.
"Yes, I can confirm that a deal was done," said Pat Garel of Logosport Jamaica, the company which handles the player's affairs.
SECOND HIT
Lowe's departure hits a club which recently lost manager Brian Talbot, who departed for Oldham Athletic, another Second Division outfit, after seven years in charge. Garel said that Lowe, who led the team out of Division Three and has been their top scorer in his two full seasons at the club, had an easy choice after Talbot left.
"Talbot's leaving made it easier for him as he was prepared to stay with the club until the end of May when his contract expired. Things have changed during that time, including the financial position of the club so he decided to move on," Garel explained.
"The club would have preferred for him to stay but they gave him their blessings," continued Garel.
She added that the player, who has represented Harbour View, Waterhouse and Arnett Gardens in the National Premier League, was always intent on playing in a higher Division.
"He has always wanted to play at a higher level and this, a move to the First Division, is another step closer to the Premiership," Garel said of the powerfully-built 29-year-old.
INTEREST
According to Garel, Coventry was one of six clubs with an interest in luring the Jamaican hitman away from Rushden. Nottingham Forrest and Sheffield United were among the others.
Garel was careful to point out that Lowe's new move should not affect his availability for Jamaica's friendly international set for next Wednesday against Honduras at the National Stadium.
Lowe, who could make his debut this Saturday against Reading, the club of another Jamaican, Omar Daley, had scored 16 goals for Rushden this season and 49 overall in 87 appearances.
