Morais praise for boss Dickov

filipe morais . . . permanent deal.

FILIPE Morais has signed a permanent deal with Athletic.

The tricky Portugal-born winger has been a fixture in the side in recent weeks despite only being with the club on a non-contract basis.

Morais was first offered a contract in November of last year, but has now finally signed an agreement which keeps the 24-year-old at Boundary Park until the end of the season, with an option for Athletic to extend the deal to encompass the 2011-12 campaign.

“People think I delayed signing for financial reasons which was not the case,” former Chelsea man Morais told the club website.

“What persuaded me to stay was the gaffer (Paul Dickov), because he gets the best out of me and that is why I am happy to sign a permanent contract.

“It has definitely helped me mentally having the option for next season when hopefully we will be playing in the Championship.”

Athletic’s new signing Medi Abalimba was set for his first appearance in an Athletic shirt this afternoon when the reserves faced Accrington Stanley at Stalybridge Celtic (2pm kick-off).

Trialists Euan Holden, brother of Bolton’s Stuart, Callum O’Connor of Blackburn Rovers and ex-Preston winger Simon Whaley were all in the side after missing out last week due to the postponement of the reserve match against Morecambe.

Two other trialists were also set to run out for Lee Duxbury’s side today. They were Mohamed Tafer, who is over from France, and former Manchester United trainee striker Mark Redshaw, who has been plying his trade in Greece.