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West Ham United signing Mido believes £1,000 a week contract is a fair deal
Egyptian turned down lucrative offers to play for Gianfranco Zola
7 Feb 2010 14:55:00
By Nick Price
West Ham's new signing Mido has revealed that his pay cut, making him amongst the lowest earning players in the Premier League, is fair.
The striker moved on-loan from Middlesbrough to London in the January transfer window for the remainder of the season, and has revealed that he turned down lucrative moves to join the Hammers.
Speaking to the News of the World, the Egyptian said: "I agreed I would play for a grand a week, which I know will make me one of the poorest-paid players in the league.
"But, to be honest, I didn't consider the money at all.
"Sometimes you have to look to the future and I believe I am investing in myself."
Mido's return to the Premier League sees him take a £47,000 a week pay cut, but the striker insists that it was the right decision.
He added: "I've earned a lot of money over the past few years and now I've got a point to prove to myself and the West Ham supporters.
"I have had a bad reputation, but now it's time for me to put things right.
"I'm here at West Ham and I want people to say Mido is the real deal - even if I don't play a single game.
"It was important for me to get it right. I needed to come back to the Premier League to a big club and to work very hard.
"I actually thought it was a fair deal because I've been playing in Egypt and no one has seen me."
Mido believes that his decision shows that not all footballers are driven by money.
He said: "Some people think footballers are greedy and blow all their money.
"But some of us are normal people who are decent and who just want to do their best for themselves and their family.
He also revealed that he turned down offers from other Premier League sides, including from one manager who could assure him of a guaranteed starting slot.
He continued: "Another Premier League club told me I would be their No.1 striker, but Zola didn't.
"He didn't even guarantee me a place in the team at all.
"But the reason I accepted his challenge was because when I looked him in the eye, I thought he was a very honest man.
"He told me the truth, said what he really thought.
"Other managers give you a lot of bull**** to get you in and when you are there it is a totally different story.
"But after what he told me, I don't think Zola really expected me to join the club."
The Egyptian hopes that he can earn the respect and admiration of West Ham fans, and earn a permanent move.
He concluded: "I want to prove a point to people and this is the most important five months of my career. If it works out then I would like to stay for the next three or four years and then I can sign a proper contract!"
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The striker moved on-loan from Middlesbrough to London in the January transfer window for the remainder of the season, and has revealed that he turned down lucrative moves to join the Hammers.
Speaking to the News of the World, the Egyptian said: "I agreed I would play for a grand a week, which I know will make me one of the poorest-paid players in the league.
"But, to be honest, I didn't consider the money at all.
"Sometimes you have to look to the future and I believe I am investing in myself."
Mido's return to the Premier League sees him take a £47,000 a week pay cut, but the striker insists that it was the right decision.
He added: "I've earned a lot of money over the past few years and now I've got a point to prove to myself and the West Ham supporters.
"I have had a bad reputation, but now it's time for me to put things right.
"I'm here at West Ham and I want people to say Mido is the real deal - even if I don't play a single game.
"It was important for me to get it right. I needed to come back to the Premier League to a big club and to work very hard.
"I actually thought it was a fair deal because I've been playing in Egypt and no one has seen me."
Mido believes that his decision shows that not all footballers are driven by money.
He said: "Some people think footballers are greedy and blow all their money.
"But some of us are normal people who are decent and who just want to do their best for themselves and their family.
He also revealed that he turned down offers from other Premier League sides, including from one manager who could assure him of a guaranteed starting slot.
He continued: "Another Premier League club told me I would be their No.1 striker, but Zola didn't.
"He didn't even guarantee me a place in the team at all.
"But the reason I accepted his challenge was because when I looked him in the eye, I thought he was a very honest man.
"He told me the truth, said what he really thought.
"Other managers give you a lot of bull**** to get you in and when you are there it is a totally different story.
"But after what he told me, I don't think Zola really expected me to join the club."
The Egyptian hopes that he can earn the respect and admiration of West Ham fans, and earn a permanent move.
He concluded: "I want to prove a point to people and this is the most important five months of my career. If it works out then I would like to stay for the next three or four years and then I can sign a proper contract!"
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|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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