Asteras close in on ex-Manchester United star

By: Peter Katsiris | January 22nd, 2009

Asteras Tripolis has been busy during the on-going winter transfer window, and while the Arcadian club has brought in Efstathios Rokas from Thrasyvoulos, and Vangelis Kaounos from Beta Ethniki side Kalamata, the Peleponnesian outfit is not ready to put away its wallet just yet.

Reports from Greece have revealed former Manchester United midfielder Quinton Fortune is close to signing a contract with the 2007 Beta Ethniki Champions. The South Africa international, has apparently been in Tripoli since the beginning of the week after arriving in Athens early Monday morning.

Part of Tottenham Hotspur’s youth academy, Fortune secured a move to Spanish capital club Atletico Madrid on a free transfer to the Vicente Calderon Stadium. His performance with the La Liga outfit was admired by Sir Alex Ferguson, and Fortune was soon blessed with a return to England.

After spending seven seasons with Manchester United at Old Trafford, the 31-year old didn’t find the same success since he departed the Manchester giants ahead of the start of the 2006/2007 season.

Leaving the Red Devils for Premier League rivals Bolton Wanderers, Fortune’s stay at the Reebok Stadium lasted just one season. Leaving the Wanderers, successive knee problems kept Fortune without a club for two years.

Returning to England with Sheffield United at the start of this season, a short trial stint with the Blades eventually led to the Bafana Bafana international to sign a one-year contract with Italian Serie B side Brescia.

His stay with the Italian outfit has been plagued by fitness and injury problems, and the South African has only made one appearance for the ‘Rodinelle’. His next desitation, the Greek Super League, looks to be with a club willing to take the risk in order to sign a troubled South African star.