Addo named biggest flop

Ghanaian ex-international defender Eric Addo tops a list of transfer flops compiled by a Dutch soccer magazine investigating the value of major buys by Dutch clubs over the last two seasons.

The young defender, who Ghana used at the 1998 African Nations Cup, was seen as one of the potential future superstars of African football.

However he has spent the last two years sidelined by injury.

Addo was signed by PSV Eindhoven from Belgium's Club Brugge in 1999 at a cost of ?3.7m.

The Dutch side had to beat off competition from other major teams in Europe to get the centre-back's signature.

Knee trouble

Addo had played under PSV coach Eric Gerets at Brugge and when Gerets went to PSV he wanted the Ghanaian to go within him "at all costs," according to the magazine 'Voetbal International'.

"Gerets got the PSV management so worked up that they were happy to pay the asking price and also offer Addo a five-year contract. But Addo had already struggled with several injuries while at Brugge", the survey said.

"There it was his left knee, at PSV it has been his right knee. In three seasons, he has played just 19 games."

But the magazine does give Addo a chance to defend himself.

"I don't want to let anyone down. I want people to be happy to see me," Addo is quoted as saying.

Addo is the only African player in the survey, which includes several South American and eastern European players.