"Born in Barcelona, Catalonia, Merodio started his career with Barakaldo CF, but soon moved to another side in the Basque Country, Athletic Bilbao, being eligible to represent it due to his father's roots"

Posted in Aussies abroad the other day but Oar was with Sarota watching Utrechts last game so still roamin round the Netherlands

Armando Merodio?

Probably should start an 'Oar to Centrelink' thread

name one?

Was a bilbao junior... next..

they said in the end the language was the tipping point. there must have been more to it than that.

Athletic have recruited and 'qualified' players based on the heritage of a grandparent in the past - no reason why Oar wouldn't think that this 'rule' could equally apply to him.

Not about Oar but Laporte (Bilbao French player) was born in the southwest of France (just outside of Basque country) but was at a French Basque club before Bilbao signed him. Basque country is partially in France.

someone talked it up to him. the manager was having a go at it. it took some club over a month to decide.. pretty sure why he thought he was a chance to get in to a club that represents his heritage/ethnicity.

no chance...pinning his hopes on a deal at bilbao who only sign Basque players not sure why he thought he would get in, every player they have was a bilbao junior even the french guy was born in Spain and is a bilbao junior.

It feels like the Ajax suggestion is just chucked at the end of the article as a possibility since he was in the Netherlands and looking for a bigger club rather than them having any insight into Ajax being interested in him. I would love thread move if it happened but I doubt it

ok turns out they are 1-0 up after first round of europa.

do it tommy....

probably a decent move. shame they are already knocked out of champions league. does anybody know if that means that qualify for europa?

I doubt it very much but you never know, he needs a club ASAP.

I remember reading at the beginning of the year that Oar announced that he would be leaving Utrect as he was expecting a deal with Ajax, but that must've broken down. Good for him if it's back on.

Edited by salmonfc: 20/8/2015 09:55:41 PM

http://www.eitb.eus/es/deportes/futbol/athletic/detalle/3423326/tommy-oar-australian-quiso-jugar-athletic-bilbao/

Article is pretty much saying that after being rejected by Bilbao, he is being linked with Ajax.

So again, he could be joining them. A bit has popped up on twitter in the past few hours regarding this potential move.

Edited by proud2becanberran: 20/8/2015 09:30:28 PM