Lua Lua set for Qatar move

By: Peter Katsiris | July 18th, 2008

The player who was well known for his acrobatics and dynamic footwork, is leaving Piraeus after just one season. Lomana Lua Lua joined Olympiacos from Premier League club, Portsmouth; but after just one season the Congolese striker is heading for the Piraeus exit. This may come as a surprise for non-followers of the Greek game — and it was initially for Olympiacos fans. However, after an argument broke out between Lua Lua and Olympiacos management, ahead of the Greek Cup Final against Aris, the player was left off the Olympiacos roster and told he had played his last match for the ‘Eruthroleuki’. Now, Lua Lua is set to leave not just Greece, but the continent as well. Several reports state that Qatari club ‘Al Arabi’ have signed the 27-year old to a one-year contract. A reported offer of 3 million euros has lured the player to Qatar; but not by choice, as several times in the last few weeks, Lua Lua expressed his desires to stay in Greece to several Greek radio stations.

The reason behind his exit is said to be ‘that’ argument, but one can easily assume that the club was frustrated with Lua Lua’s ease of getting injured. Surely it is not his fault, but after being injured for a long period, Lua Lua returned to the squad prior to the second leg of Olympiacos’ Champions League tie with Chelsea FC. It proved to be one game too early, and Lua Lua went down to injury once again. The odd events that followed began to confuse the Olympiacos faithful. After have the star player return to fitness, he was left off the roster; something must’ve been wrong. For a player that was so explosive, and such a fan favourite, why would he be leaving a club before 12 months? Especially when you consider his contract was set to continue throughout the upcoming season. The deep fog seems to be brushed aside by Olympiacos officials, who claim that Lua Lua had a tendency to be tardy and unmotivated during training sessions. However, it is believed that the financial costs of having Lua Lua in the squad is the main reason behind the early exit. An apparent clause in the original transfer which saw the Congolese international leave Portsmouth and arrive in Piraeus, see the Greek Champions fork over cash to Pompey for each of the club’s acomplishments, during Lua Lua’s stay in Greece. The accomplishment include: the Greek Championship, Greek Cup, and progression from the Champions League group stage (check, check and check). In Olympiacos’ case, with the glory comes a price to pay.

So, this is as formal as it gets. Good bye Lomana Lua Lua! You will be missed in Piraeus!