Vaz Te set to complete ‘unfinished business’

PORTUGUESE striker Ricardo Vaz Te has been tipped by Barnsley manager Keith Hill to ‘light up’ the Championship this season.

Vaz Te, who spent six years in the Premier League with Bolton Wanderers, has signed a one-year deal with the Tykes after impressing on trial.

He is likely to make his debut in the opening game of the season at Nottingham Forest tomorrow and Hill says the striker, who is still only 24, has ‘unfinished business’ in the English game.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This is a ‘no risk’ signing but a great opportunity for Ricardo to re-establish himself,” insisted Hill. “I believe he has unfinished business in English football.

“When he came to this culture, I don’t think he took to it too well – but he has talent and every manager knows and appreciates that.

“It’s good business and he could be one of those players who takes his opportunity and lights up the division quite easily.”

Vaz Te, from Lisbon, played alongside Manchester United winger Nani with Real Massama and Portugal Under-21s.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Although Nani waited until the age of 20 for a move to England and is now a star on the world stage, Vaz Te joined Bolton at the age of 16 and made his debut in the Premier League at just 17.

He made a total of 58 appearances for Bolton but injuries have hampered his progress and he was released last summer. After a brief spell with Greek club Panionos, he finished last season at Scottish Premier League club Hibernian.

Like other managers in the past, Hill has already been critical of the striker’s penchant for over-indulgence on the ball. However, he firmly believes that the positives outweigh his negatives.

“It’s difficult to erase history from your memory on Ricardo but I am willing to do that as a manager,” said Hill.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“He is a talent and could possibly be a match-winner. There’s no fear from my point of view. It’s just getting that balance with his function in the team – and I feel as though he is in a place now where he wants to do that.”

Winger Kyel Reid has been invited to stay at Oakwell for another two weeks before a decision is made on his future.

Reid, who has previously played on loan for the Tykes, has been training with the club following his release by Charlton Athletic.

“It is a question of whether he wants to be patient,” said Hill.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I can understand players wanting to get fixed up now because they are not earning any money. As far as his talent is concerned, that’s not in doubt. But he’s not at the fitness levels I want. It’s difficult because I think opportunities will come up for Kyel to sign for other clubs. It depends on what he wants more than what I want.”