Kanchelskis secures Saudi switch
Thursday, 6 February 2003 17:28Southampton manager Gordon Strachan today tore up Andrei Kanchelskis' contract with the club allowing him to move to Saudi Arabia. The winger joined the Saints on a free transfer last summer but made just two brief substitute appearances before joining Al Hilal on a four-month deal today.
St Mary's Stadium chairman Rupert Lowe has slashed his wage bill recently by cancelling the contracts of Tahar El Khalej, Imants Bleidelis, Kleber Chala and Neil Moss. Southampton have also revealed injury-plagued midfielder Mark Draper is close to agreeing a pay-off.
A club statement said: "Mark Draper could be the next one to go. We are negotiating at a settlement of his contract which has 18 months to run."
Former Saints boss Glenn Hoddle snapped up the midfielder from Aston Villa in a £1.25million deal in the summer of 2000. Strachan today confirmed the club are looking to reach a mutually acceptable settlement with the player.
Filed by Johnny Proby
