Bikey Signs In Time for United Match

Controversial centre-back, Andre Bikey has today signed for the Clarets for an undisclosed fee having agreed a three-year contract.

It is understood that the Clarets may have paid Reading in the order of £2.8 million to secure the strong, powerful 24 year old’s services.

The Cameroon International now looks set to make his debut in the home baptism of fire game against Manchester United at Turf Moor on Wednesday night (19th August)

Burnley currently have a number of injury problems in the back four with captain, Steven Caldwell out injured with a thigh strain and Michael Duff still struggling with an ankle injury. David Edgar though will also ve available for the clash against the Red Devils after returning from a one match suspension.

Andre Bikey was controversially sent off in Reading’s game against the Clarets in the Play-Offs Semi-Final first leg at Turf Moor last season.

He had stamped on Robbie Blake and was shown the red card. He then proceeded to see red again and in a tantrum took off his shirt and threw it to the floor in disgust before being escorted off the pitch by Reading keeper, Marcus Hahnemann (now with Wolves)

He was disciplined by the FA, picked up a five match ban and heavily fined by the Royals.

Bikey will have completed the five-match ban he was handed for improper conduct when Reading play Swansea tonight so it is this technicality that allows Bikey to be considered for the United match. This loophole also allowed Sebastien Bassong to play for Spurs last Sunday after last season’s suspension at Newcastle.

Bikey (full name André Stéphane Bikey Amugu) started his professional career with Espanyol in 2002. After a brief spell with Paços de Ferreira in 2004 he moved to Shinnik Yaroslavl in Russia, before signing for Lokomotiv Moscow in July 2005. Reading agreed a season-long loan deal in August 2006 with the Royals having an option to purchase the player at the end of the loan.

In April 2007 Bikey signed a three-year contract with Reading for a transfer fee believed to be over £1 million.

Welcome aboard Andre, you must surely be the most surprise signing of the Summer!