Liberato Cacace (Wrexham | Wales)

Pretty international squad Muscat has.

Starting 11, last game out - 2 Argentinians, 2 Japanese, American, Ghanian & Portuguese. 3 Belgians. English in dressing room most probably. The American (Chris Durkin) is a 20 yr old midfielder, may become Libby's new best mate.

They had Portuguese CB sent off on Monday, so who knows with some defensive re arranging Cacace maybe pressed in service very early! Subject to clearances and all that

https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2020/08/24/belgium/pro-league/sint-truidense-vv/kv-oostende/3323539/

I know squat about Belgian club football, but fact their national team is currently in FIFA's top spot must mean something about the level of coaching, and player development.

They have a proper Golden Generation of players currently.

Did a bit of trainspotting and for what's it worth (probably nothing), these guys as 19 yr olds (same age as Libby) were at following clubs -

Courtois - Gent

Kompany - Anderlecht

Castagne - Gent

De Bruyne - Gent

Eden Hazard - Lille

Thorgan Hazard - Zulte-Waregem (a middling top division Belgian club I think, maybe similar to Sint-Truiden)

Mertens - AGOVV (in Eredivisie at the time, now in Dutch 2nd tier)

Lukaku - Chelsea (but age 18 was still at Anderlecht), and I imagine he was already a big boy as a 19 yr old, so accelerating his development

Benteke - Mechelen (another middling top division Belgian club??)

I just find this sort of stuff interesting. When Cacace's 3 yr contract finishes (if he doesn't leave beforehand), he will only be 22. Plenty of time for a bigger move.

I really hope someone is going to tell us the fee

Is it time for his thread to move to kiwis abroad?

Watching where Singh and Cacace's careers go from here will be fascinating - do you end up in a better position long term by going to a relatively lowly European club and working your way up, or starting from the absolute pinnacle and (probably) settling down a bit. Will be interesting to see.

Apparently, going by Google Translate, he has signed for three years for 1.2 million Euro https://www.hln.be/sport/voetbal/transfer-talk-stvv-legt-ruim-miljoen-euro-neer-voor-nieuw-zeelander-khammas-van-genk-naar-w-beveren-plzen-denkt-aan-krmencik~a98c268b/

If true, that's a very sizeable cash injection for the club.

We've done very well out of that if its accurate (very sceptical though, sounds way too good to be true) - hopefully some sort of on-sell clause too.

$2.1m NZD very nice.

That is an incredible fee if true. Massive cash injection for the club. Easily would be our highest ever transfer.

Enough to reactivate the Academy ASAP hopefully. Among other areas of the club no doubt seeking a little cash injection.

Anyone know who holds Belgian broadcasting rights in NZ, if anyone?

Don't think anyone does.

unlikely to be anyone, BEIN sports might pick it up now that libby is playing there.

You should be able to follow it online. A lot of European leagues have highlights packages online, and a lot of clubs do their own too.

1.2 million euros = $NZ 2.1 million

so $1.2m euro easily surpases that

Holy shark imagine being the only club in the whole league with cash to spare lol.

Find it somewhat incredible that this is the highest ever paid. Wouldve thought some of the middle eastern clubs paid a bit over the years.

Love the collection of clubs i now follow. If true says a lot about the way things are being done at the Nix might make some players look at us instead where some have been going.

Did Andrew however say what the mark was?

He did.

Even if its 600euro - decent and much needed boost. 

is he allowed to inform us? or do we need to wait and find it ourselves?

“This is a stepping stone for him. Belgium is the focus for a lot attention on young talent in Europe. There are scouts everywhere looking for those players good enough to progress into one of Europe’s top five leagues. Libby has this opportunity now." https://t.co/yRdp4NdTpv

— SBS - The World Game (@TheWorldGame) August 27, 2020

As I understand it, the figure being reported in the Belgian media for Liberato Cacace’s transfer fee (€1.2m/NZ$2.1m) is off the mark.

I’ve heard it’s in the six-figure range in NZD, but with clauses/triggers that could mean it rises down the line, yet not to those heights.

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) August 28, 2020

Mid-to-high six-figure range, I might add.

— Andrew Voerman (@andrewvoerman) August 28, 2020

nice, thanks for the clarification, sorry dont follow on the twitter thing.

https://t.co/yRdp4NdTpv                Is a good read.

Trani warned that Cacace’s fortunes will wax and wane in his demanding new environment.

“It won’t all be pretty - you’re not in the comfort zone of your own home,” he said.

“At times you’ll be alone and this is a good tester for Libby.

It will be fantastic and at other times it won’t be.

“Knowing each other from the past will help those difficult moments become a bit easier for him.

“Kevin views him as a player who will fit into the plans for the season.

“He’ll make him feel more comfortable in the environment, and once the timing is right I’m sure Kevin will give him the chance to show what he can do and people will see the value he brings.

“He has the focus and the mentality and is incredibly determined in his approach to the game.” 

not bad  considering that was what.. 2011?

Voemans mid to high six figure NZ $ is much more realistic. Still, it’s great news for the club. With Singh’s transfer last season the club has reaped probably over $1.5 million in player sales. It certainly sends a strong message that there is bankable talent in this country. It is also another indication to Welnix that the Nix academy can actually be a significant source of revenue rather than a financial burden.

Some people think that Cacaces choice of club is a little underwhelming but he will be 100% in the shop window playing in Belgium Div 1. You don’t want to overhype young players but in the thirty years I have been watching NZ  football I have seen only a few players who you think could actually have a decent pro career in Europe. Cacace is definitely one of them. If he continues to work hard and things go his way he has a great future.

??? Liberato Cacace is een Kanarie!

➡ Meer info via https://t.co/oxohG20beE#STVV #CanaryForever #WelcomeLiberato pic.twitter.com/zgRSVXuukn

— STVV (@stvv) August 28, 2020

Left footed & left handed.