Belgrade, January 30 (AP) - Much-traveled Nigerian defender Taribo West, 29, signed an 18-month contract Thursday for defending Yugoslav champion Partizan Belgrade.
"Partizan is an ambitious club and I like to be part of it," West said after the
signing in Belgrade. "I like Yugoslavia and, after playing a lot in western
Europe, I also wanted to see the other part" of the continent.
West's last team was FC Kaiserslautern, long one of Germany's top clubs
that is now fighting avoid bankruptcy. He had also played in France, Italy
and England.
Neither West nor Partizan officials would reveal financial terms of the deal,
but Belgrade-based private news agency Beta reported that the contract
was worth 300,000 euros (US$306,000).
"One of the best players in the world has signed the contract with Partizan
for a year and a half ... we have quickly agreed about conditions and
details," said Partizan's secretary Zarko Zecevic.
After starting his career in Europe with French club Auxerre in 1995, West
won an Olympic gold medal with Nigeria in 1996. He has played for both
Inter and AC Milan, Derby County and Kaiserslautern before having a brief
trial with Manchester City at the start of this season.
The former Nigerian World Cup star centerback, who has largely
underperformed in recent years, said he would travel Friday to join Partizan
players in Antalia, Turkey, where they are preparing for the Yugoslav
Championships, which resumes Feb. 26.
Former German World Cup star Lothar Matthaeus took over as coach for
Partizan, which aims to play in the Champions League next season, during
the winter break.
"We have finished with reinforcements for this season. We have a good
basis and these are added values," said Partizan's president, Ivan Curkovic,
referring to Matheus and West.
