MARIUS Niculae yesterday joined Romanian club Dinamo Bucharest in a deal that landed Caley Thistle a record-breaking £500,000.
The Romanian, who played for his country at this summer's European Championships, knocked back the chance to join German second tier club Kaiserslautern in favour of a return to his boyhood club.
Newly-married Niculae's desire to settle in his hom
eland proved the decisive factor in a transfer saga that stretched for months. The 27-year-old moves back to his first club after just a season with Inverness, signing a four-year deal with Dinamo.
As part of the agreement, Niculae receives a percentage of the fee, although the Highlanders have cut a profit on the player despite forking out a budget-busting £4,000 a week in wages. The deal represents good business for club, who picked up the player from German club Mainz 12 months ago for nothing.
After turning down bids from Kaiserslautern, Greek team PAOK Thessaloniki and Turkish club FC Kayserispor, the striker accepted an offer from Dinamo Bucharest. Caley's director of football Graeme Bennett said last night: "A fee has been agreed and we are just sorting out the paperwork.
"It is a straight deal although Marius is entitled to a percentage of the fee agreed. It represents a good deal for this club, though, and a good move for the player. Over the last 10 days, when I met with Marius it became clear he wanted to go back to Romania. Kaiserslautern were very professional to deal with but Marius was not keen on going there and was desperate to sign for Dinamo Bucharest. It was a slow process with them but we finally agreed a deal."
Bennett revealed he was uncertain whether manager Craig Brewster would have extra funds available to compensate for the loss of the high-profile striker. The director of football said: "I will have to speak to the board about whether we give any of the money to Craig Brewster.
"I will also have to see what his plans and signing targets are. I have never been to the board and been knocked back for funds when we have needed to strengthen the team, but it is not as if we can spend £150,000 on one player, as we could not match his wages. We will be prudent with what we spend."
Caley Thistle do however look set to a seal a season-long loan deal for Stoke City forward Adam Rooney. The 20-year-old has joined the Inverness outfit in Copenhagen for their week-long pre-season tour, with a match against Danish First Division side Herfolge Boldklub planned this afternoon.
Manager Craig Brewster said: "Adam Rooney is proving to be every bit the player I thought he would be having spoken to Stoke City manager Tony Pulis repeatedly.
"I spoke again with Tony on Thursday just to say how happy I was with Adam this week. I will also be speaking to Adam to see what his thoughts are. The idea was for Adam to weigh us up as much as I wanted a look at him. But I have had good things said about him from various contacts."
Brewster, after draws against Lolland-Falster and FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark, would love to wrap up what has been a successful trip with a victory. Herfolge are a second tier Danish side, but have invested greatly in a push for SuperLeague status that would massively enhance their income.
Brewster said: "It will be a very good test against Herfolge as I think they are favourites to win the Danish First Division. It will be tough for the lads, but we came here to use the training facilities at Farum and to play against a good level of opposition."
The full article contains 639 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
