Illiasu not ready for Premiership football

Following a trial period with Blackburn Rovers, manager Mark Hughes decided against signing defender Shilla Illiasu.

The 24-year-old Ghanaian World Cup star had joined Rovers for a trial from Ghanaian Champions Asante Kotoko, with whom he is captain.

Illiasu, who stared for Ghana as they progressed to the second round of the 2006 World Cup in their first appearance on the Worlds biggest stage, operates as a central defender, and although highly promising and with his youthfulness in his favour Hughes decided he would not add anything to the squad that wasn't already there.

Following an unsuccessful trail with Arsenal earlier in the summer it would appear that Hughes shares Arsene Wenger opinion that maybe the Ghanaian isn't quite ready for Premiership football just yet.

Gunners abandon pans to sign Ghana star

Arsenal have shelved their interest in Ghanaian international defender Shilla Illiasu.
The centre-back impressed at the recent World Cup for the Black Stars, and was awarded a trial with the Gunners.
Although the powerful Kotoko star impressed during the trial, Arsenal have since acquired William Gallas, and now have four top-class centre-backs at the club including Kolo Toure, Phillippe Senderos and Johan Djourou. Iliasu is now thought to be on trial with a club in Russia.