http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3441122/Zanders-set-to-be-a-Jambo.html#comment-rig

 

HEARTS are poised to land Aberdeen's Zander Diamond on a pre-contract deal.

Sunsport can reveal Jambos boss Jim Jefferies has targeted the out-of-contract Dons defender.

 

It is understood Jefferies has warned Pittodrie boss Craig Brown he'll open talks with Diamond.

 

He wants the centre half, who'll be 26 next month, to partner Andy Webster at Tynecastle next season.

 

And it is believed negotiations over salary and length of deal will be stepped up in the next few days.

 

Jambos are resigned to losing on-form stopper Marius Zaliukas in the summer.

 

Ismael Bouzid is also out of contract and his high wages mean he's unlikely to be offered an extension.

 

Now Jefferies has turned to Diamond, who's been with the Dons since schooldays but is nearing the end of his deal.

 

Brown is very keen to keep Diamond at Aberdeen but knows he can't compete with Jambos on wages.

 

Diamond, who has also been watched by English clubs, has yet to make a decision on his future. But the lure of European football and working with Jefferies could tempt him.

 

Brown also has Chris Maguire, Sone Aluko, Derek Young and Jamie Langfield out of contract this summer.

League 1?

 

Obscurity then a return to Scotland to play for Formartine in 2013/4?

 

 

Didn't you crack that joke already?

Didn't you crack that joke already?

 

Not sure it's even a joke!

Not sure it's even a joke!

 

I am sure.

 

It isn't.

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/page/NewsUpdate/0,,10337~2391953,00.html

 

Latics have pulled off a major transfer coup by beating off stiff competition to capture top Scottish player Alexander 'Zander' Diamond.

 

 

All that is left for Latics to do is to secure international clearance which will be done tomorrow.

 

I didn't realise that was required 

I didn't realise that was required 

 

Why wouldn't it - Scotland and England have different FA's

A wee vid I made, speculating on what went on at the LSC regarding Zander's move there.

 

 

It could have happened.

Genius kelt, very well done

A wee vid I made, speculating on what went on at the LSC regarding Zander's move there.

 

 

It could have happened.

 

Absolutely superb, Kelt!  :lolabove:

Take a bow Kelt  

Class kelt, as ever.

CB in the record saying he recommended Zander to Paul Dickov.

CB in the record saying he recommended Zander to Paul Dickov.

 

Haha, knight the man

http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/javaImages/ae/7f/0,,10337~9797550,00.jpg[/img]

 

New Latics signing Zander Diamond is ready for a new challenge in his career.

 

After spending the whole of his playing days in Scotland, the 26-year-old is relishing the prospect of proving himself in England.

 

Diamond explained: "I cannot wait to get started. I spent nine years in the Scottish Premier League at Aberdeen and you can become stale.

 

"This is a fresh challenge and, when you look at the teams in League One, it is a competitive division.

 

"The chance to play in the cup competitions was also a major factor and a bonus and I cannot wait until the first day of the season."

 

Diamond says he felt, at the age of 26, the time was right for change and staying in Scotland would not benefit his career.

 

He continued: "It is a career-changing move for myself and the management and backroom staff sold the club to me.

 

"Once I had spoken to them, all I wanted to do was put pen to paper. I don't think the negotiations took that long which benefits both myself and the team.

 

"I cannot wait to get started."

 

Diamond says he was sold by the youth and enthusiasm at the club as well as a desire to do well.

 

"I have heard about last season and how the team faded. Now I am on board along with one or two others, hopefully we can put that right and stay in the top six," he explained.

 

Diamond added he is looking forward to working with and learning from Gerry Taggart, Latics No 2 and a former Northern Ireland international centre half.

 

After a week on trial at Boundary Park before signing, Diamond says he was struck by the friendliness of everybody and also the youth and exhuberance of the playing staff.

 

"They are a great bunch of lads who are young, enthusiastic and want to do well, and I want to be part of it which is why I signed," he said.

 

Diamond says career highlights including helping Aberdeen reach the last 32 of the UEFA Cup as well as scoring twice against Celtic in a 4-2 victory.

 

There are also memories of playing and captaining Scotland under-21s.

 

He says that is history and he is only looking forward and he believes the best years of his career are still ahead of him.

 

Diamond said: "My immediate goal is to do well here and I am not one who likes to look years into the future.

 

"I want to take each day and training session as it comes and I intend to enjoy every minute of it."

 

That is no doubt influenced by recent events as Diamond had been linked with a summer move to Hearts only for it to fall through due to a failed medical.

 

He says a problem with his ankle showed up on a medical, a legacy of surgery three years ago.

 

Diamond explained: "I have played 65/70 games since then without a problem. It is bizarre.

 

"In hindsight, it was probably a blessing in disguise as it has got me out of Scotland after nine years and given me the chance to play in England."

"In hindsight, it was probably a blessing in disguise"

 

Yes, for Hearts!

Oldham saying it's a massive coup after beating stiff competition for his signature. 

Oldham saying it's a massive coup after beating stiff competition for his signature. 

 

They are absolutely right.

 

Oldham is a massive coup.

"looking forward to working with and learning from Gerry Taggart"

 

A mate of mine used to drink with Gerry in his local while he was at Bolton, when I say he drank with him my mate drank pints of lager while Taggart drank pints of Whisky. Zander should fit right in.

"looking forward to working with and learning from Gerry Taggart"

 

I've heard that he's murder.

Frm an Oldham message board

 

i thought diamond was awesome today ano nonsense defender..

I'd add Diamond to the positives

Yes it was boys getting a lesson at times. Diamond did well,

Like the way diamond was shouting and ordering the back 4 about, exactly what we need

Diamond was 9/10 for me - MOM absolute rock

Diamond looks a good signing,you can see him picking up a few suspensions though

Back 4 were solid and Diamond is right up my street - proper center half!!!

 

:o

 

Final score from Boundary Park

 

Oldham Athletic 0-2 Sheffield United

Yeah, and a few seasons back we'd have been saying similar things. Just give it time for his complacancy to set in.

 

Ifil was the same with his first game against Hull. It won't last.

Back 4 were solid.

 

Oldham 0 (that's nil) - 2 (that's two) Sheffield Utd.

 

Boy they must have been fucking atrocious to think firstly that a 2 scud defeat at home was ok and secondly that the liability that is Diamond will amount to anything other than a complete fuck stick.