Translating a news item this morning:
Viking wants Jordan Hallam
19 year old impressed during trial in Spain.
After the player impressed in both training and in a game vs Stabæk in Marbella, Viking have decided to get Jordan Hallam (19).
- We have started talking to Sheffield United and will try to get this done this week. It will take some time when a club from abroad is involved, said Viking manager Bjarne Berntsen to Aftenbladet.
After the training camp in Spanish Marbella finished Saturday, Jordan Hallam and teammate Callum Semple went back to England. Two days earlier they got their evaluation from Viking's coaching staff at the hotel in Spain.
The conclusion was that Semple is too far away from top form, while Hallam looks to be an attacking player who can go straight into a league team.
Good stats
Hallam did well in training sessions and he played the full game as a right sided central midfielder in the 1-2 defeat to Stabæk. He was very much involved in what Viking created going forward - and he was the player that covered the most ground during the game. The 19 year old ran 12 kilometers during the 90 minutes.
- He's a different type of midfielder to what we've got. Hallam is more direct and forward thinking and he's got good vision. In addition he's got a tremendous statistic when it comes to goals and assists.
- You could see that his stats were reflected in what we saw in real life, Berntsen explains and points to the 60 goals Hallam has scored at U18 and U23 level at Sheffield United the past two seasons.
Hallam was clear about his intentions of staying at Viking when Aftenbladet talked to him just before Viking set off to Spain.
- Yes, definitely. It would be fantastic. To get first team experience at Viking would be great. In England I play with the U23 team, so to come here and play for the first team would be exactly what I need, said the 19 year old.
From what Aftenbladet understands a loan deal with Sheffield United is unlikely to cost much to start with. (May be more if he impresses?)
If Hallam comes to Stavanager within the next couple of days, he may be in contention for Friday's pre season game against Åsane.