Doncaster Rovers v Yeovil: Dickov’s sales pitch clincher for Razak

Paul Dickov’s phone bill must be going through the roof this month but Abdul Razak is keen to prove it is worth every penny.
Abdul RazakAbdul Razak
Abdul Razak

The Ivorian midfielder is set to make his debut for Rovers against Yeovil today after finally getting the paperwork through to seal his move from Greek club OFI Crete.

Dickov landed his man three weeks ago but has had to play the waiting game before unleashing the former Manchester City development squad player.

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It was a lengthy pursuit of a player he knew had fallen on hard times.

Razak was forced into an impromptu holiday in his homeland after being released by the financially-stricken Greeks, which necessitated Dickov’s inter-continental pursuit.

“He’d been chasing me for a while,” said Razak, who, at 22, has already played in three different countries.

“I had a phone call from him every day while I was on my holiday in the Ivory Coast – he was very keen.

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“Everything he said was positive and it took me about a week to make the decision.

“I thought it was a good time to come back to England.”

If Razak was won over by Dickov’s determination, then a conversation with former Manchester City team-mate Reece Wabara helped seal the deal. All he has seen so far has suggested the sales pitch was spot on.

“Reece said it was a good environment for me to come into and he was right,” said Razak.

“I’ve been to so many clubs, every club has a different mentality. When I came here, everyone was enjoying themselves. You see them in training, they want to win and they want to work hard.

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“I’ve been to so many clubs where after a week you realise it’s not the right mentality and you want to leave. It’s not like that here. I’ve been here three weeks and I want to work for the club.

“I’ve been really impressed to see a League One team going about their business as they have been.

“From what I’ve seen it looks like a Championship club.

“That’s what struck me about Doncaster Rovers.”

After the frustration of his lengthy wait, Razak is now keen to start making up for lost time.

A flair player in midfield, he has vowed to entertain the Rovers faithful.

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“I don’t want to say what I’m going to do, I let my football do the talking.

“But they will enjoy watching me, and, hopefully, I can improve my game as well.

“I’m ready to play – I’ve waited long enough.”