Bray striker Zayed impresses at Crewe

Last updated : 26 January 2004 By Dave Mervyn
Zayed, who scored in the Crewe reserves 3-2 win against Port Vale on Tuesday, is training today with Premiership side Everton following a pre-arranged agreement between Bray boss Pat Devlin and the two clubs.

Speaking to the club’s website, Crewe boss Dario Gradi said, "After Eamon’s trial at Everton, we will decide if we are going to take it any further with Bray."

FIFA recently introduced a new ruling whereby compensation is paid to clubs who have nurtured players from a young age, and this could play an important role if Zayed was to move back to the UK.

"I fully support the compensation concept but we would like to know what we are expected to pay for him," said Grady, "we’ll have to see what happens but he did well in the reserves game and scored."

Crewe are currently thirteenth in the Division One table, and if Zayed were to sign for the Gresty Road club, he would act as back up to first team front men Dean Ashton and Paul Edwards.

The youngster has also attracted the interest of Russian side Dinamo Moscow and Spanish giants Barcelona in recent months.

Zayed has scored 25 goals for Wanderers in 52 appearances to date, and previously netted in a reserves game for Arsenal as a youth, only to turn the Gunners’ offer of 3-year-deal down to complete his Leaving cert. He did join Leicester City soon after but following a two-year term with their U19s, he returned to Dublin.

The striker made his U21 international debut last August in a 5-1 win in Poland.

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