Hocus-Pocus Impacts On Signing Policy

Last updated : 18 October 2014 By Ed_ScottishFitba

C:WindowsTempphp4E72.tmpFreddy Frans has revealed the chaos that surrounded his proposed move to Leeds United, before he sealed a short term move to Partick Thistle. The Belgian centre-back was released by Lierse in his homeland in the summer after a change of ownership, and looked set to secure a move to Elland Road. Then-Leeds manager David Hockaday was interested in the move, and invited Frans to have talks with new Whites owner Massimo Cellino, and that is when things took a rather strange turn.

Frans said: "I thought I had seen everything when I left Belgium – but then I arrived at Leeds. My agent spoke to the owner and he said if Hockaday liked me I’d sign. I played two games and he said he wanted to sign me. I had to give him details about my star signs and all this stuff. He doesn’t like the number 17 or the colour purple among other things. We heard a few strange stories, like the one about Paddy Kenny not getting a deal because his birthday was on the 17th. Crazy. I was so happy to be signing for Leeds as well, it was a big step. But then I started to get suspicious as the deal wasn’t done and two Italian centre-backs arrived. Still Hockaday said he wanted me but they lost in a cup-tie to Brentford and he got sacked so I was back to Belgium."

Frans also insisted that despite his recent turmoil, he is happy he put pen-to-paper on a three-month contract at Partick. Frans added: "I have only got three months but it’s perfect for me to prove I can win a new contract. My wife will be coming over. She quit her job when we thought I was going to Leeds as we knew we wanted to go abroad."