For weeks, Loons head coach Adrian Heath has hinted at a “huge” signing and it seems we may now know that signing’s identity. Danish media outlet TV3 reports that forward Bashkim Kadrii looks to be making a surprise move to Minnesota.
Kadrii currently suits up for FC Copenhagen, though he has seen limited time over the last few years for the club. His last goal for the club came in May 2016. His best run of form was with Odense Boldklub, where he scored 19 goals from 2009 to 2014 before his big move to Copenhagen. Updated: Longtime friend of FiftyFive.One and our unofficial Danish correspondent, Henrik Lønne, brought this story to our attention. He adds that Kadrii has a “very high ceiling but has been injury plagued,” accounting for Kadrii’s limited time with Copenhagen.
The Danish reports indicate that this would be a loan move for Kadrii, but the contract will include an option to buy. Additionally, Kadrii’s contract runs out in 2018 and so it may be easy to sign him on a free should his stint in Minnesota go well.
The Danish youth international would likely feature for Minnesota on the left wing or as a withdrawn forward. This would mean that Kadrii would either be pushing Miguel Ibarra for time on the left or Ibarra could shift to the right wing, where he has played at times for United. Or Kadrii could play in the hole behind the striker, pushing Johan Venegas. Certainly, there will be a number of options for Heath’s Loons side.
Remarkably, Kadrii is the third of what looks to be four Scandinavian players picked up from Manny Lagos’ fall scouting trip through the region (goalkeeper John Alvbåge also looks to be on his way).
You can check out Kadrii’s highlight package here:
Update:
FC Copenhagen made a 30 minute feature on Bashkim’s recovery from injury that has English subtitles. Or, if it’s anything like the Danish thriller Forbrydelsen, you can wait for AMC to remake it in the English language like they did with The Killing.
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