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  • Transfer Talk: Where in the world is Rohan Ricketts?

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    ccs-54-140264007222_thumb.jpgIf you're a fan of Toronto FC, you've likely heard of Rohan Ricketts. If you're a TFC fan who uses Twitter, then you've definitely heard of him.

    Ricketts was under contract in Toronto for about a year and a half, but unlike other former players he's one that is hard to forget, probably because he wont let you.

    The Englishman has become far more known for his self-promotion on Twitter and other means of new media than he ever was for his actual playing time as a Red.

    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    Sure, he showed flashes of intelligence on the pitch, including a couple of multi-goal games at BMO Field, but overall he was just one of the many promising foreigners brought in by Mo Johnston who contributed to an entirely underwhelming TFC side.

    One way Ricketts did stand out was his personality. He was as outspoken as they come, and having experienced a cup of coffee at the highest levels of club soccer - he was a trainee at Arsenal and was actually Player of the Month for Spurs many moons ago - he always had something to say about the state of soccer, both here and abroad.

    Since leaving TFC, he has actually carved himself a nice side-venture as an insider of big time European football, getting himself gigs with Sabotage Times, The Mirror, Fan 590, and even ESPN.

    There's nothing wrong with a player branching out in the media, and Ricketts clearly has a knack for it. But when the "player" part becomes less important, that's when the credibility starts to slip.

    Yet Ricketts still fancied himself a player, and traveled all over Europe to pursue that. Throughout his brief stopovers in places like Hungary and Moldova, he was Tweeting and blogging away, spending more time focused on telling the football world about himself rather than showing the world.

    So while he was dishing out advice to all and sundry about the "truth" about the game and the importance of keeping an eye on the prize, he seemed to be ignoring his own advice.

    Surely, a 28-year-old trained at Arsenal and with actual Premiership playing experience with Tottenham can land a job somewhere, can't he?

    Not with outbursts like the following, from his Twitter feed just a few hours ago (unedited):

    I have to make an announcement about Portsmouth Football Club because apparently there is an article out today saying that I was given a trial and I did not turn up!

    This is absolutely ridiculous! I was not offered a trial by Steve Cotterill or anyone at the club! My representative spoke with Steve and Steve's response was unbelievably uncalled for!

    I can not wrap my head around it! Pompy have a small sqaud ( 4 players on the bench for the last game), I am free,fit and hungry to play!

    I could understand if Steve said I am not his type of player or he does not need my position. But what he said was totally uncalled for!!

    People wonder why players like myself find it harder to get back into the UK (my homeland), its not talent!

    Its down to a coach create an opinion about u when he has never even met you or had a conversation with you! The fans of clubs deserve more

    There's nothing published that indicates what exactly Portsmouth manager Steve Cotterill said to set Ricketts off like that, but it becomes easier to see why Ricketts is having a hard time of things in Europe. Regardless of what was said, Ricketts should know better than to air grievances out when trying to secure a contract.

    It's not like this is the first time it has happened, either. When it became clear that his playing time with TFC would be diminishing with the arrival of Dwayne De Rosario in 2009, he took to Twitter to complain about it. To no one's surprise, he was gone from the team not too long afterward.

    With all of this in mind, it's a wonder how he hasn't been completely blacklisted from the sport.

    Well it seems that he is indeed on trial right now. In Germany, actually.

    But while even Edson Buddle - once the MLS poster child for not living up to potential - can catch on in the second tier of German soccer, Ricketts, who has done the exact opposite (started at the top and worked his way down), is now trying out for a Regionalliga West side known as SV Eintracht Trier 05*.

    The Regionalliga West is the fourth tier in the German pyramid.

    To say that Ricketts has lost sight of what is supposed to be most important to him is a massive understatement. He claims to love the game more than anything else, and yet he has allowed his "media personality" to take centre stage while his prime playing years continue to slip by.

    At least he'll have Twitter.

    * Update: Ricketts did not impress in his half game with SVE, and has already left the club. (Hat tip to Ed from the Voyageurs)

    Some other transfer talk from around Europe on Tuesday and Wednesday:

    England

    Scotland

    Greece

    • Aris signs Nery Castillo on six-month loan.

    Germany

    • Hoffenheim's offer for Ryan Babel was accepted by Liverpool.
    • American defender Sachir Hot on trial at 'Gladbach.

    Switzerland

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