Chelsea sends Conor Clifford on loan to Plymouth Argyle

19-year-old midfielder Conor Clifford, the hero and captain of last season's FA Youth Cup title holders, is going to League One's Plymouth Argyle through November 19th.

Clifford is a member of Ireland's Under 21 squad.

FC Sion Snap Up Mpenza

Free agent Emile Mpenza has penned a two-year contract with FC Sion, current holders of the Swiss Cup. The Belgian striker will be praying for an upsurge in fortune having endured a catalogue of inopportune injuries with his former employer, Plymouth Argyle.

This prolonged duration spent on the treatment table restricted the 31-year-old to making only nine appearances on the south-west coast of England and his plagued record in preceding seasons ultimately consigned the Pilgrims to act against any contract renewal.

Mediterranean Sunset On Mpenza's Career?

"I think it was important we brought this type of quality to the football club. We have been through a transitional period, and we have worked very hard at bringing so manyplayers here, but the icing on the cake had to be
done."

-- Plymouth Argyle's Paul Sturrock speaking in September 2008.

Back in the closing summer months of 2008, Plymouth Argyle, desperately seeking a solution to resolve their misfiring front-line, prayed that their fortunes would transform upwardly by luring in the traits of a veteran striker possessed with a wealth of top-flight experience in Belgium, Germany and England. The capture of 54-capped Belgian international striker Emile Mpenza was a warmly-greeted murmur in the transfer window, one manoeuvre judged to have been shrewd and astute. Worst case scenario it seemed certain that it was the introduction of a steady-hand, a calming influence and mentor to the array of goal-shy forwards already floundering at Home Park.

Nine demeaning appearances later, six of whom off the substitutes bench and amassed only two goals to his credit, signified that any sense of logical thought had defied the hapless transfer and, according to the Plymouth Herald Sport, his occupancy as Devon's best-paid footballer will dawn to a close in the coming weeks. Crete-based Ergotelis, who compete in the Greek Super League, are rumoured to be homing in on the former Manchester City striker, whilst a return to his homeland will act as another alternative to prolonging his injury-plagued career.

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Brussels-born Emile Mpenza spent his halcyon years donned in the shirts of Standard Liege, where he scored 41 goals in 74 appearances spread across two stints for Les Rouches, and a three-year spell at Schalke, which accumulated 28 goals in 79 occasions. After mixed spells with Hamburger SV and Al Rayyan of Qatar, relegation-threatened Manchester City benefitted the rewards of his services with three critical league goals that arguably maintained their Premiership status.

This season saw Plymouth Argyle clamber to survival in the Football League Championship by five points and, more distressingly, only one position from the relegation trapdoor. Meanwhile, Ergotelis collected 37 points en-route to their comfortable mid-table standing of ninth.

Five Earn Trials at Yeovil Town F.C.

Five hopefuls earned a pre-season trial at League One side Yeovil Town FC. The list includes three midfielders: 21-year-old Emmanuel Francoise from Metz, former Hibernian player Patrick Noubiss and Fisher Athletic's Gavin Tomlin.

Also on trial are 20-year-old goalkeeper Pierre Antoine Martini from Nice, and Plymouth forward Anthony Mason. Mason is a Republic of Ireland U-19 international.

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In other Coca-Cola League One news, Crewe Alexandra signed former Newcastle United striker Calvin Zola.

Yeovil Town F.C are looking to add depth to the roster.

Image details: Coca-Cola Football League One: Yeovil Town v Northampton Town served by picapp.com

Blackburn Rovers Announce First Friendly

English Premier League member Blackburn Rovers F.C. announced their first friendly for their upcoming 2008 summer preseason tour. The club will travel to the Molineux Stadium to take on Coca-Cola Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. on August 2nd at 3:00 P.M.

Players of note for the Wanderers include:

* Sylvan Ebanks-Blake: 22 year-old English forward who scored 12 goals in 20 league appearances. He arrived in January 2008 via Plymouth Argyle F.C. He won the Golden Boot in the Championship for 2007-2008 with 23 goals.

* Seyi Olofinjana: 27 year-old Nigerian midfielder who has notched 147 league matches at the Wanderers. He recently signed through 2011.

* Andy Keogh: 21 year-old Irish forward scored 11 times in 2007-2008. Prior to the season, he was awarded the famous Number 9 shirt.

* George Elokobi : 22 year-old Cameroonian left back who made 15 league appearances with the club in 2008.