It is being reported by the Daily Mail that Newcastle United and West Ham United are both after Canadian International midfielder Atiba Hutchinson.
Hutchison plays for FC Copenhagen and is a team mate of another player Newcastle are said to be interested in – Norwegian center-back Brede Hangeland.
Atiba is an attacking midfielder and has even played as a striker - the fee is said to be in the region of £3M (seems about par for Big Sam).
Atiba Hutchison
We had thought our major focus for the next couple of weeks would be to bring in more defenders but we seem to be linked with a host of midfielders. We really have no real idea whether Newcastle are interested in the Canadian but it does look like Sam wants to bring in at least one more central midfielder. Atiba does seem to be a goal-scoring midfielder and Sam has said he wants a lot more goals from the midfield next season - so Hutchison certainly seems to fit that requirement. We thought we’d get some information on Hutchison – in case the deal actually does go through at some point in the future.
Hutchison was born in Brampton, Ontario and only began his professional career in 2002, playing briefly in the Canadian Professional Soccer League. He has played 19 times for the Canada under-20 side (presumably while still an amateur) and 10 times for the Canada Under-23 side.
In January 2003 he signed with Östers IF, newly promoted to the Swedish Allsvenskan. Hutchinson scored six times for Öster during the 2003 season. With the club relegated out of the Allsvenskan, Hutchinson was granted a transfer and signed with Helsingborgs IF in January 2004. In the 2005 season he was consistently the team’s best player, scoring six goals from midfield.
Atiba – who is 6′ 2†tall then moved to Danish F.C. Copenhagen in 2006, and played alongside Swedish international Tobias Linderoth in central midfield but later was moved around and even played striker that season.
He has played 28 times for Canada and scored three goals - the first in a World Cup qualifying match against Honduras. He also played in the 2001 and 2003 FIFA World Youth Championships for Canada. He has played 24 times and scored 6 goals for Osters IF, 49 times and 6 goals for Helsingborgs IF and 45 times and 5 goals for FC Copenhagen.
Comments welcome.
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22 responses so far ↓
1 Soren // Jul 6, 2007 at 18:38
If I remember correct, I might even think that he once or twice played wing too. So he can play all over the midfield.
2 Shaun // Jul 6, 2007 at 18:42
Maybe he played as left back once, now that would be realy good LOL
3 A geordiedoonsooth // Jul 6, 2007 at 18:52
We should be now buying a couple of big names a left back & a midfielder. Not some who plays for 3rd rate club & a fourt rate country
4 jeff // Jul 6, 2007 at 19:09
never heard of him! Let sunderland have him.
5 jeff // Jul 6, 2007 at 19:20
If we put in a bid of 3m then the hammers will bid 6m. wouldnt that be funny watching them make themselves look like a right bunch of T@5s£r5 again.
6 Veliz // Jul 6, 2007 at 19:35
No thanks
7 Mosstef // Jul 6, 2007 at 19:44
See 3,20 mins. into this clip:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ScWJK_Qdw6U
Great goal by Hutchinson.
8 Soren // Jul 6, 2007 at 19:50
I think some of you are pretty ignorent over this player. Have any of you seen him play? International player and Copehagen plays champions league, so he has experienced high tempo games. Think he would be a good signing in the £3m region. And he’s a hard worker! He works and runs his arse off every game.
9 matt // Jul 6, 2007 at 20:34
yeah atiba’s a great player, whoever said he was a 3rd rate player, you know f&*^& all about football. so you’re saying just because players like kolo toure played for 3rd rate teams at one point in their career, they won’t ever get better? everyone starts somewhere, no one born on the top, you f*&^%&&^*ng dick.
10 Mick Gray // Jul 6, 2007 at 20:39
I’ve become a regular reader - congratulations on the standard of debate and reporting here!
11 Keep Oba // Jul 6, 2007 at 21:06
He seems like a good Utility player…nothing wrong with having some of those…with the amount of injuries NUFC has had especially last year we should be happy to have guys who can move around alot. I think most fans just want to see the next target be a big name and don’t have time for these types of signings. But these signings could be really good, and certainly wont be waste of money. I too am looking forward to a big name, but guys like these can play important roles…and if they don’t pan out, well its not that big of a loss.
12 D. // Jul 6, 2007 at 21:28
I seem to remember some guy called Patrick Vieira going from AC Milan’s reserve team to Arsenal for about £3 million; not everyone we buy needs to already be a household name. It’s been the ridiculous process of trophy signings in recent years that helped cripple the club in the first place.
’sides, it’s probably just paper talk. I wouldn’t object to another utility player, though. They make excellent substitutes.
13 Steve B // Jul 6, 2007 at 23:22
This is a pic of toon playing head tennis at their austria training camp. joey barton, oba martins and james troisi.
14 Steve B // Jul 6, 2007 at 23:22
O never mind it didn’t upload
15 Paul // Jul 7, 2007 at 6:24
Interesting reading the reports about Atiba. I am a Geordie living in Copenhagen and watch fck all the time. Atiba is my favourite player. But surprised to read about him as an attacking midfielder maybe striker. He is a wonderful player great to watch going forward but his weaknness is finishing. His strength is his tackling. Until the middle of last season fck was playing him as a defensive midfielder. He reminder me of Robert Prosenicji performance at St James when we played Croatia Zagreb in the Champions League Qualifier. Wonderful player though not the best in front of goal. Second part of last season fck did indeed play him in a more attacking role.
16 Lin // Jul 7, 2007 at 7:57
I am worried about Emre’s future at Newcastle. It seems that Sam is not confident on him and wants to buy some midfield he likes. I hope Sam can give Emre some chances because Emre is loyal and competent.
17 jim // Jul 7, 2007 at 8:35
I agree with Lin about Emre ( I like him) but he seems to get a knock every now and again and I think he feigns injury to leave the pitch. a couple of occasions I have seen him hold his elbow or stomache and then go off but still be fit for next match, whats going on there then?
18 Darren // Jul 7, 2007 at 8:40
Its well documented that SA prefers taller players, I think that is whats going to spell the end for Emre (although personally I would keep him)
19 Joe // Jul 7, 2007 at 14:40
Never heard of him.
20 toya // Jul 10, 2007 at 15:56
first of all Jeff if you’ve never heard of him then why make a comment? go research about him watch a game do something then once you’ve found out a bit more info on atiba then you can make your decision. dont pre-judge him.
next: geordiedoonsooth comment like: Not some who plays for 3rd rate club & a fourt rate country. are so unecessary atiba is a good player he knows how to make excellent passes and he creates oppourtuities and chances for his team to score, other big name players dont do that other big name players just want all the goals for them selves which is stupid because that doesn’t help the team in anyway
21 Eric // Jul 10, 2007 at 21:31
i grew up with Atiba’s family and not only is he an incredible soccer player but he also brings a down to earth personality to any club
22 Bramptonboy // Aug 6, 2007 at 7:45
Atiba is getting better every game! Wait and watch the Champions League before you judge his greatness.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScWJK_Qdw6U&mode=related&search=
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