On Friday, the Daily Southtown reported that the Russian club made an offer for Ralph's services. Two days later, league sources confirmed to ESPN.com that the 24-year-old striker indeed got an offer, and accepted. In fact, Ralph is traveling overseas to Kazan on Monday to get a physical by the club.

The same source revealed that the transfer fee was two million dollars, and that a portion of this figure will be paid to the Chicago Fire.

Attempts to reach Ralph's agent, Patrick McCabe, were not successful. Several parties report him to be overseas, presumably in Russia.

Ralph's deal is said to be for three years, with his salary starting at $650,000 and increasing after each season. The fact that the club plays in a league that gets a bid in the Champions League and a chance to qualify for the UEFA Cup was a big reason for Ralph's move.

FC Rubin Kazan finished 10th in the Russian Premier League last season with a 7-12-11 record.

quote:

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Originally posted by panjam:
I wish him well too. I had hope he would have landed a contract in the Netherlands or Spain. Even Belgium would not have been bad. I am obviously concern, considering the treatment Scarlett and Wilson received in Russia previously.

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No Lie! Heart of racism dat.

quote:

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Originally posted by alfinite:
how are we gonna be able to keep track of him now? no one really reports on russian football!!!

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No worry, you soon see di team fanclub appear and of course mi sure we have a Yardie on di forum dat know Russian!

But since evahbody else touch in with the related racism and 'middle of no where argument' and previous player experiences in Russia and so on and so forth ... I feel quite at home now

DITTO ALL A DAT, but good luck still!!!

Here's the perspective of some Chicago fans. Come to your own conclusions. {I really like the first observation below:

quote:

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bpc said on 3/4/2005 at 1:10:28 PM:
I wonder if Ralph will chain himself to a goal post to avoid ending up there?

jmh said on 3/4/2005 at 2:35:27 PM:
You got to be kidding me, of all places to go to I don't see the russian league as a step up even though our league is only in its tenth year, though I bet he'll make more money

Reignmen SC said on 3/4/2005 at 5:24:26 PM:
hate to see him go, but I hope he goes. We need money and crap to bring in a polish forward namely Maciej Zurawski.

352 said on 3/4/2005 at 6:26:35 PM:
You have to realize that Russian teams do play in UEFA competition, so that could be seen as a better chance to get noticed than over here. A good year at Kazan could mean a move to a bigger Russian club and a UEFA cup appearence. But it doesn't seem that great, I know...

It will probably be more money.

David: I came up with Zurawski's name, too. What do you know?

Nadyezhda Yest said on 3/5/2005 at 5:47:27 AM:
Last year was a big disappointment for Rubin, but the year before they were one of the league's best teams and qualified for the UEFA Cup. I'd say they could end up anywhere on the table this year.

Beanfranka said on 3/5/2005 at 6:57:43 AM:
I will only accept this ridiculous move if the money (and it better be seven figures) is used to sign a young and extremely promising polish striker.

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According to ESPN.com, the fee is $2 million US for Ralph - who scored 22 goals in a pair of seasons with the Fire. MLS has not yet confirmed the deal was done.

Ralph is now the third Fire player in the last 14 months to leave MLS for Europe - with a portion of the transfer set to be handed to Chicago and General Manager Peter Wilt in the form of an allocation. Ralph follows in the footsteps of Carlos Bocanegra and DaMarcus Beasley, with the Jamaican's salary is set to increase more than ten-fold with Kazan under a three-year contract. The Russian top flight is also out of season. The transfer was delayed due to sell-on clauses included in the contract MLS purchased from Jamaica's Harbour View FC.

Now Chicago must re-group its squad again after another outbound transfer. Costa Rican striker Andy Herron now will be the team's leader at forward, with Chad Barrett, Nate Jaqua, and Will Johnson fighting for playing time alongside Herron. But Barrett and Johnson will be absent during the month of June for the Under-20 World Championships. Wilt and head coach Dave Sarachan were likely already on the lookout for help at forward prior to the transfer, and those efforts are likely to be intensified with Ralph's departure.

The stories about the departure of Chicago Fire forward Damani Ralph to Russia's Premier-Liga were confirmed Monday when the club and MLS announced that the 24-year-old Jamaican international has signed a contract with FC Rubin Kazan. To compensate for the loss of Ralph, who signed a new multi-year agreement with the league and Chicago last April, the Fire will receive a major player allocation.

"My time here in Chicago was great. I came as kind of a secret and got a few opportunities as a rookie and made some things happen and ended up having an unbelievable season, and while last season things weren't as good for the team, I tried hard and did well," said Ralph.

"It has just been a wonderful experience. There are a lot of good players in this league, and the ones I played besides, like Chris Armas, Ante Razov, DaMarcus Beasley, Carlos Bocanegra and Andy Williams -- those guys were just wonderful guys to be around. It's kind of tough saying goodbye to everybody, but it was good while it lasted. Hopefully one day I'll be able to get back here.

"[Rubin Kazan] played in the Champions League two years ago, and that's the biggest tournament in the world. It is a huge opportunity to have the chance to play in a tournament like that, and it provides me with a different experience right now. I thought this would be a good chance for me to move on and see what might be in store for me out there and see if it might open some other doors. I'd like to thank MLS, my coaches and the Fire staff, especially [general manager] Peter Wilt, for everything they did for me during my time in Chicago."

In two seasons with the Fire, Ralph proved to be one of the league's most potent scorers, registering 53 points (22 goals, nine assists) in 51 appearances. His standout performance in 2003, during which he set a new MLS record for goals by a rookie with 11, made him the hands-down winner of the MLS Rookie of the Year award.

Ralph helped the Fire to the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2003 as the club with the best regular season record. His side made it to MLS Cup that season, though they lost to the San Jose Earthquakes by a 4-2 score in the club's third MLS Cup appearance in six years. Ralph played a major part of Chicago's success in the 2003 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, though, scoring the only goal of the game in the final, a 1-0 victory over the MetroStars. That victory gave the Fire their third Open Cup title.

Though the Fire struggled to find the same success in 2004, Ralph proved that he was still at the top of his game, netting 11 goals once again and adding three assists for 25 points -- good enough for eighth place on the Budweiser Scoring Chart. His sophomore campaign was highlighted by a superb hat trick against D.C. United on June 5 at Soldier Field and a starting nod on the MLS All-Star Game at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.

"First, this is a great situation for Damani financially," said Wilt. "This move will enable him to take care of himself and his family in Jamaica for life. Damani has been a great asset to the team and organization. In only two years, he created some of the most exciting goals in Fire history. He has also been a wonderful representative of the Fire and a loyal part of the organization off the field. I will miss him professionally and personally.

"For the Fire, it is the fourth time in two years we are losing one of our top players to European clubs," continued Wilt. "It makes things challenging, but we will receive a major allocation to replace Damani. [Head coach] Dave [Sarachan] and I have been working the phones and looking at tapes and we are confident that we will be able to find another top forward for the Fire some time this season.

"This will also create an opportunity in the short term for Nate Jaqua and our newly drafted forwards to step up and prove themselves. Transfers of talented players are a part of soccer globally. We are playing in a world market and these moves the last two years are a credit to the organization's ability to develop top players. We will use Damani's transfer as an opportunity to improve the Fire and compete for championships again this year."

Ralph's success at the club level led to a blossoming international career. He has scored one goal in a dozen appearances for the Jamaican national team. Ralph was a regular contributor to the 'Reggae Boyz' World Cup qualifying schedule, including several appearances as a starter, during the semifinal round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

"Damani made a tremendous impact on the Fire in his two years with us," said Fire head coach Dave Sarachan. "As difficult and sad as it is as a team and an organization, I am happy for him on a personal and professional level that he is able to move to a place where he feels he will be able to advance his career. I wish him only the best in his new venture."

the fire can come and get one or 2 of our local boys fi run the forward fi dem.

quote:

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Originally posted by Princess:
Wish him all the best (hope he isn't plagued by the Scarlett-Wilson syndrome).

So where leave for di Boyz to go. We've been to [b]Scotland, we deh a England, we pass thru Norway, we lan' a Sweden, we play in Israel, tes' out Colombia, dominate Trinidad, have descendants in Germany, full up MLS, so maybe 3 times a charm in Russia!!! [/B]

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He will play for Chelsea or Manchester United in the future.

Its funny though.. I remebered when I said if Whitmore went to Scotland he would experience Racism and Delano attacked me coz him know one man from Scotland.

Well me know one man from Russia. The Chelsea coach, and he has no problems hiring blacks.. But its the masses that dont interact with Blacks that we have to worry about.

There has been Africans that have weathered the storm in Russia and made big impacts too.. I know an Asian guy that went there to study as a doctor. But the African footballer brought his Wife also and she really felt isolated etc. That also put pressure on the baller. But times do change.

Alot of the teams in the Russian League have foreign players. Damani is not the only black person on the team. In fact I think he's one of three.

The team seems to be slowly adjusting as well, they lie in 8th or 9th, Biggest test coming this weekend.

Russian Premiere League

CSKA's Chidi Odiah strides forward with Pedro Barbosa in close attendance. (MatthewAshton/Empics)
What promised to be a Portuguese party in Sporting's own Jose Alvalade stadium turned sour as three goals in 18 second-half minutes from Alexei Berezutsky, Yuri Zhirkov and Vagner Love made CSKA the first Russian winners of a European club competition.

Sporting dominated the opening period and deservedly led after 29 minutes when Brazilian Rogerio found space on the edge of the area and smashed an unstoppable shot past teenage goalkeeper Igor Akinfeyev.

Berezutsky's header brought CSKA level after 57 minutes and nine minutes later Yuri Zhirkov slipped a low shot under Ricardo after being sent clear by Daniel Carvalho.

quote:

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Originally posted by Karl:
Thought Ralph played for FC Rubin Kazan and not CSKA Moskva?

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Yes, he does just pointing out that CSKA is not doing that well domestically, so league might be decent.

...........All I know they spend their money like it is going out of style!!!

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Dudu Cearense signs with CSKA
Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - CSKA signed Brazilian midfielder Dudu Cearense to a four-year contract on a transfer from Japan's Kashiwa Reysol.

The 21-year-old, who had been on loan in France at Rennes since August, will join countrymen Vagner Love and Daniel Carvalho with his new team.

Duda netted one goal in 15 Ligue 1 outings this season. He also led his country to the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship before making his full international debut in Copa America action last year.

CSKA finished last season with 60 points, one behind Lokomotiv Moscow atop the league.

03/07 12:22:35 ET
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Spartak's spending spree continues with Argentinean duo
Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - Spartak Moscow was not happy with its performance during the early part of the Russian Premier League season. To remedy the problem the club has gone on a seemingly endless spending spree, capped by the acquisitions of Argentineans Fernando Cavenaghi and Clemente Rodriguez on Tuesday.

Cavenaghi, a 20-year-old striker from River Plate, signed a new five-year deal with Spartak. He made the move in exchange for $11.5 million while Rodriguez, a 22-year-old defender for Boca Juniors, cost just over $7 million. The deals had been rumored for the last few weeks, but the final details were took time to be finalized.

River Plate won the league title last season, the second of Cavenaghi's young career, and he scored nine goals during the campaign. Rodriguez has helped his team to two Copa Libertadores titles since making his debut during the 2000/01 season.
The Argentinean duo joins Dmitri Alenichev, Czech Republic international Martin Jiranek and Red Star Belgrade star Nemanja Vidic as newcomers to the club.

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Spartak Moscow signs Kovac away from Sparta Prague
Moscow, Russia (Sports Network) - Spartak Moscow signed defender Radoslav Kovac to a four-year contract Monday.

The 25-year-old Czech international, who already passed his physical, is coming over from Sparta Prague. In 46 matches for the Czech Republic Division I leaders, Kovac tallied three goals.

Spartak Moscow, which posted 40 points in its 30 league games last season, continues its domestic campaign this Saturday against crosstown rival CSKA.

http://www.uefa.com/footballEurope/Countries/country=RUS/Association=57451/standings.html