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All is bien for Town’s Argentinian keeper
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| Town's new Argentinian goalkeeper Diego Bassanini dives to make a save in the opening stages of his debut against Kidsgrove Athletic on Saturday. |
ARGENTINIAN goalkeeper Diego Bassanini is bidding to earn a contract with a Football League club by the end of the season after making his Warrington Town debut on Saturday.
The 21-year-old made a solid if unspectacular debut during the Yellows' 2-2 draw with Kidsgrove at Cantilever Park in UniBond First Division South and is keen to impress in the Yellows' last 10 games of the season, with several Football League clubs believed to be monitoring his progress.
Bassanini, an imposing stopper at 6ft 8ins tall, came to the country last month in a bid to make a career in the English game, having previously spent two years on the books of Buenos Aires giants Independiente.
He is unable to join a professional club until the transfer window reopens in the summer, so contacts of Town boss Paul Moore arranged for Bassanini to join the Cantilever Park club for the rest of the season to give the keeper an opportunity to get used to English football.
Playing in front of a crowd of 122 in a division four levels below the Football League may not have been what Bassanini is used to but the goalkeeper, who does not yet speak much English, gave Saturday's debut the thumbs up when he described it simply as bien'.
His interpreter Pablo Asensio, an Argentinian who set up a coaching company in Liverpool after injury curtailed his own professional career, said: "Diego is still trying to get to know his defence and his teammates.
"The first match was a tough match but it's difficult to read the football at that level.
"He's used to playing at the professional level, so for him it was a little bit of a surprise.
"I think he is going to get used to it at this level and he is going to do well for this team.
"We have given our word that the gaffer can count on Diego until the end of the season. We are talking to other clubs because they are really interested in Diego.
"He's learning English and is being coached in the English style. We're trying to get him into UK football.
"Teams like Sheffield United, Preston, Crewe and Tranmere are looking at him."
Bassanini does not require a work permit because he has an Italian passport.
He will be funded until the end of the season by Liverpool sports agency L1 Sport, who are confident he has a future in English professional football.
He was with Independiente at the same time as Atletico Madrid whizzkid Kun Aguero - the current FIFA Young Player of the Year - before moving to Botafogo in the local league of Argentinian city Rosario in 2006.
Town manager Moore was impressed with Bassanini's debut display, saying: "I thought he did well. His handling was excellent and his kicking was good as well."
6:54am Friday 7th March 2008
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