Jonathan Quartey On Trial In England

Bristol City have brought Ghana defender Jonathan Quartey to Ashton Gate for a week-long trial, according to his club coach Bobby Motaung, writes Andy Sloan. Quartey featured in the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Cup for his country and has since won several senior caps after impressing for South African club side Kaizer Chiefs.

The 20-year-old came to the attention of English scouts when he played against Manchester United when the Premier League club toured South Africa last summer. He scored a penalty in that game.


Motaung said: "Jonathan left the country (on Wednesday night) for a week's trial with Bristol City. The club is looking for two defenders and they approached us about the player.


"It is not our policy to stand in the player's way when an overseas opportunity comes up.


"Jonathan has shown a lot of potential as a player since joining the team last season. His call up to the Black Stars (Ghana) was a testimony of his talent.


"We wish him all the best during the trial."

Johnson said last night the club are looking at a number of trialists this week and expects to play them in a Gloucestershire Cup match against Cirencester on Tuesday and a behind-closed-doors fixture next week.


His latest acquisition, Slovakian striker Peter Styvar, was signed from MSK Zilina when the January transfer window opened following a trial before Christmas.


At 6ft 1in, central defender Quartey could provide extra cover for Louis Carey as City cast around for a long-term successor to their captain who turns 32 next week.


The Ghanaian is in his second season with the Kaizer Chiefs.


He came close to joining Red Star Belgrade before Christmas, but failed to impress in a trial.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Muhsin Ertugral said: "He (Quartey) has played the last six or seven games for the Ghana senior national team and so there is bound to be interest.


"I have even had enquires from my home country (Turkey) about him." Johnson has kept his transfer dealings close to his chest but has the backing of City chairman Steve Lansdown to spend – if the right player is found "While January's there you can't ever judge," said Johnson. "It only takes one phone call, from us, or from somebody else, going in or going out." The one thing he doesn't intend to do is make any knee-jerk reactions as the window nears its close.


Johnson added: "People tend to panic towards the end of January when suddenly something hasn't happened. We won't panic, that's for sure.


"We'd like to keep some form of continuity at the club. If you look at the clubs who have had lots of loans like Charlton, Norwich, they end up going back and all of a sudden they find themselves really struggling and can't get players in now for love nor money because people don't want to go to struggling teams."


"Obviously people do what they need to do and I feel that we done ok and if the right situation comes along, we'll do somsething, and