..Cofie seals Antwerp loan
John Cofie's loan move to Royal Antwerp has been rubber-stamped with the striker joining the Belgian outfit until 30 June.
The former Burnley youngster has found it difficult to get starts at Reserves level this term but made an impressive cameo when coming off the bench in the defeat at Sunderland in December, setting up two goals.
The temporary switch will enable Cofie to obtain some regular experience and it is a move that should benefit all parties.
"It's a fantastic opportunity for him," Reserves boss Warren Joyce told ManUtd.com. "It's another country and a place where you look at the players who have been there - Jonny Evans, Fraizer Campbell, Darron Gibson, Danny Simpson, Lee Martin, Craig Cathcart, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, John O'Shea, Ryan Shawcross - all players who have played in the Premier League.
"I know from first-hand knowledge that he'll get a lot of experiences over there that he can't get here."
Cofie told Royal Antwerp's official TV service: "So far so good. I'm getting to know the guys and speaking to a few people. I'm enjoying it already and hopefully I can carry it on.
"I know about the club because my manager in England, Warren Joyce, used to manage here so he told me about it. I also spoke to Fraizer Campbell, Darron Gibson and Jonny Evans as they came here so I wanted to come and see what it's about. They told me about the place, what it's like and how passionate the fans are.
"Hopefully, I can come here and produce what they want me to provide, score goals and hopefully get to the play-offs. I'm here to do well and see where that gets me."
manutd.com
did Michael Keane play ? He has gone there as well
I thought we'd given up sending players there as they are playing at too low a level. Any idea what changed?
Don't think Keane went in the end
There's new and fairly dynamic management team at Royal Antwerp.The old and somewhat legendary president Eddy Wauters has been ousted and the new top man is Hofmans, who used to pretty much own Beerschot. I believe Hofmans has been over to see SAF a couple of times.
that's strange - because last time I checked he was listed on their homepage
Jan Michel is new President. Gunther Hofmans is the guy running the show. Wouters was offered an honorary position which I think he accepted.
Have you heard of any other potential signings/trials for/with United?
Not United related but Mista John do you know anything about that Indian lad they have on their books? Varin Mehta.
Sorry, been away awhile, may have been posted.
John Cofie made his debut for Antwerp in 3-1 win over Vise last night. He did OK apparently (inc. assist); his strike partner - Kevin Oris - got all three. Antwerp going for playoffs in division 2.
That would really help the cooperation between the clubs.I hope they finally get promoted by the way, would serve our players much better if they played higher than Belgian second division where the level cannot be much higher than reserves, if at all.
Gunther Hofmans, who runs Royal Antwerp these days, is not at all happy with the terrible season the club is experiencing. Hofmans said 80% of players will be leaving Royal Antwerp and that includes John Cofie returning to Manchester United. Bojan Djordjic (ex Manchester United and others) has asked to be released from his contract and has already returned to Sweden. To be honest, Cofie has not exactly set the pulses running by all accounts. The season, however, has been disastrous so not easy for him. Lots of new players came in - buys and loans - and many will now be leaving. I would expect Hofmans to be going to Carrington sooner rather than later.
