2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[DutchRover]

Trav next to go, guaranteed

[DE.]

Regarding Henriksson and Crohn's - I have it as well, and yeah, it's pretty brutal and takes a toll on your body. The main issues for an athlete would be that your body struggles to absorb nutrients and also struggles to deal with inflammation - which obviously happens naturally when using the gym or being involved on physical sport. Crohn's also causes constant fatigue which is mentally taxing to say the least. 

With that said, Crohn's can be managed and put into a form of remission. It doesn't fix things but it does mean the person can live relatively normally. Unfortunately there's no cure and the medication does eventually stop working (if he's on biologics then it's typically around 5 years). You can switch to a different biologic or start infusions, but there's no guarantee these will work as well as the medication which has put you in remission. 

The fatigue is the one thing the medication doesn't really do much for, even when in remission, but I'd say it only became noticeable to me in my 30s. At Henriksson's age it wasn't such a problem for me, but then I wasn't a professional athlete either. 

There are professional athletes with Crohn's (as noted by others, Darren Fletcher is an example) so it's not a total roadblock, but even with careful management a severe flare up can still occur at any time which would mean indeterminate time off for the player, so there would be risk involved. 

[Old Codger]

4 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

Trav next to go, guaranteed

Who has Travis been linked with?

I think his influence on the pitch is much greater than the NLPB* acknowledge, and without his leadership and shithousery we will be much diminished.

Edited 3 hours ago by Old Codger
*nuevo lumpen petit bourgeoisie

[DutchRover]

Jack Leach the england cricketer has Crohn's as well and plays regularly for his county Somerset. Only one spell I can think of that really took him out of cricket for a few months.

[DutchRover]

2 minutes ago, Old Codger said:

Who has Travis been linked with?

I think his influence on the pitch is much greater than the NLPB* acknowledge, and without his leadership and shithousery we will be much diminished.

Links, nothing since the Derby/Wrexham stuff at the start of the summer.

But he's presumably the highest earner, last year of contract, never going to resign and we are trying to sign two centre-mids in Henriksson and Baradji, so just do the maths.

Replace everyone with someone cheaper is the only policy being pursued by the club just now.

Edited 3 hours ago by DutchRover

[NeilInBristol]

6 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Signing both midfielders would make no sense at all.

Does anything make sense at rovers?? It’s all illogical 

[MarkBRFC]

8 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Signing both midfielders would make no sense at all.

We'll be losing Trav and Buckley so in theory need two replacements, just seems that we are getting the replacements in first.

[NeilInBristol]

3 minutes ago, DE. said:

Regarding Henriksson and Crohn's - I have it as well, and yeah, it's pretty brutal and takes a toll on your body. The main issues for an athlete would be that your body struggles to absorb nutrients and also struggles to deal with inflammation - which obviously happens naturally when using the gym or being involved on physical sport. Crohn's also causes constant fatigue which is mentally taxing to say the least. 

With that said, Crohn's can be managed and put into a form of remission. It doesn't fix things but it does mean the person can live relatively normally. Unfortunately there's no cure and the medication does eventually stop working (if he's on biologics then it's typically around 5 years). You can switch to a different biologic or start infusions, but there's no guarantee these will work as well as the medication which has put you in remission. 

The fatigue is the one thing the medication doesn't really do much for, even when in remission, but I'd say it only became noticeable to me in my 30s. At Henriksson's age it wasn't such a problem for me, but then I wasn't a professional athlete either. 

There are professional athletes with Crohn's (as noted by others, Darren Fletcher is an example) so it's not a total roadblock, but even with careful management a severe flare up can still occur at any time which would mean indeterminate time off for the player, so there would be risk involved. 

Thanks for sharing 

careful management and good sports science and nutrition makes sense - do we have confidence in the club investing in the right medical and sports science department?

 

Does the club have that level of foresight?

Or is it a case of oh he’s available and cheap sign him and we’ll figure it out, and then he will be poorly managed and then eventually leaves us

 

(obvs different but suddenly siggy is a regular for his new side despite being injured for us for months)

[ROVER_N_OUT1978]

I can't see us signing both Baradji and the Swedish lad.

We so badly need a striker though

[alexanders]

Lots of athletes in, esp in the US (NFL / NHL ) with Crohns. For Old School NFL fans one especially springs to mind; Theo Fleury. Major player in the NHL. 
 

in NHL they demand more physicality and have a tougher schedule than championship. 

[Inferi]

46 minutes ago, Tugayisgod said:

Got a hell of a goalscoring record for a midfield player.  25 goals in 63 games ?

Be delighted to get a striker with anything like those stats.

11 of those goals were scored in the swedish third tier and 6 in the second tier. Still good though.

[islander200]

22 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Signing both midfielders would make no sense at all.

It does if they are looking to cash in on tronstad and Travis 

Hyam will go aswell I think 

[philipl]

Having seen bits of this summer's signings plus reading the reviews of Miller and Henriksson, the fitness, sports psychology and training teams are going to be extremely busy this season. Huge number of issues to be improved on and managed out. 

Talk about assembling a rag tag and bobtail squad!

 

[RoyWegerlesLeftToe]

1 hour ago, alexanders said:

On a side note. Wolfe who just joined Wolves came for £12m. He camefromm Norwegian top flight to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands and now signed for Wolves for 10 times more.

Also Gyokeres who just joined Arsenal and played for Coventry came from Allsvenskan. Lots of talents have erupted from the scandi leagues.

It's like champ man 01/02.

[Exiled_Rover]

28 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Signing both midfielders would make no sense at all.

Why not? Perhaps they think the two new Midfielders can help cover AMC too (seems the case for the Swedish lad). Or even do 20 minutes out wide.

[Lucimo]

3 minutes ago, philipl said:

Having seen bits of this summer's signings plus reading the reviews of Miller and Henriksson, the fitness, sports psychology and training teams are going to be extremely busy this season. Huge number of issues to be improved on and managed out. 

Talk about assembling a rag tag and bobtail squad!

 

It all seems so normal for us in recent years. Then later down the line when it all turns to shit, they claim no one could see these injuries piling up, and how we've been desperately unlucky. 

[rovers11]

If we sign Miller, Henriksson, and Baradji then the quality of our transfer dealings this summer rockets. Not impressed with who we've signed already but these 3 players are the calibre of players we should be aiming for and will be very good additions once fully settled.

I think all 3 deals will get done. Baradji will replace Travis.

Still need a RW, ST, and CD and then we are there. 

[ObiWhan8t7]

8 hours ago, bluebruce said:

I actually have more reservations about him having crohn's than I did about Baradji's alleged foot fracture. It's not something that is likely to go away, whereas I don't know a lot of players with repeatedly recurring fractures. I also think I preferred Baradji's reel, though that's obviously not the be all and end all.

RF99 raises a very good point, with all these tall lads we need some set piece delivery quality. Miller sorts out long throws but we don't have much in the way of corner or free kick delivery going on. Though tbh we have signed numerous players over the years who were meant to be good at set pieces and didn't put much quality in. I seem to remember Pickering being touted as one. Wasn't Cantwell meant to be? Maybe we were all just spoilt by Mulgrew in our expectations.

 Crohns is a nasty illness that progresses over time. But it affects everyone differently. Energy levels, arthritis in joints, flair ups, There’s no cure and the medication is hit n miss. Flair ups can hit you at any given  time with no warning and they are very bad, could even hospitalise you for short amounts of time and morphine is needed to stop the pain. This deal is a gamble, and no medical can tell you if it’s going good or bad. Put it this way 16 months ago I was told my crohns were fine with no issues, 3 months later I’m having emergency surgery fighting for my life with a perforated intestine 

[Tugayisgod]

Axel Henriksson Set for Blackburn Move as Swedish Midfielder Undergoes Medical

Blackburn Rovers are set to complete the signing of Axel Henriksson, with the Swedish midfielder currently undergoing a medical ahead of a permanent move, according to reporting from Daniel Kristoffersson.

Henriksson, 23, has been a standout in the Allsvenskan last season and is expected to join Rovers in what would be his first move outside of Sweden. The deal marks the latest chapter in a career shaped by both misfortune and resilience and one that could align well with the demands of the Championship.

A right-sided central midfielder in a 4-3-3 system, Henriksson profiles as a traditional box-to-box engine. He scored eight goals in Sweden’s top flight last season, frequently arriving late into the box and contributing in the final third. But his attacking output is only one part of a broader game defined by aggression, intensity, and tireless defensive work.

“He’s always taking the offensive runs, always a threat but also a ball-winner who never hesitates to slide in,” a fan of GAIS told RoversXtra. “He was the most booked player in the league last season, which says a lot about how involved he is.”

Though his disciplinary record is a consideration, Henriksson’s leadership qualities and personality have made him an integral figure in one of Swedish football’s most remarkable recent rises. After being released by BK Häcken in 2022, following an ACL injury and a change in the club’s coaching staff, he joined a third-tier side newly relegated from Superettan. Three years later, they are one of the most stable teams in the Allsvenskan.

“He’s been central to our back-to-back promotions and our survival. Without him, we wouldn’t be where we are,” the same source said. “He’s smart, honest, vocal, loved by us, and often hated by opponents for exactly the same reasons.”

The expectation within Rovers is that Henriksson's physical attributes and work rate will translate well to the Championship. Though still young, he arrives with significant senior experience and a track record of influencing games on both ends of the pitch.

Assuming no late complications, Henriksson will become Blackburn’s latest summer addition, and one whose arrival could add intensity and balance to a midfield already in transition.

[Old Codger]

39 minutes ago, DutchRover said:

Links, nothing since the Derby/Wrexham stuff at the start of the summer.

But he's presumably the highest earner, last year of contract, never going to resign and we are trying to sign two centre-mids in Henriksson and Baradji, so just do the maths.

Replace everyone with someone cheaper is the only policy being pursued by the club just now.

Yes, that's clear, but unless Mill Hill St Peters come in with an offer, he's going nowhere. Same for any of our other (alleged) 'high earners', which is probably a recipe for disaster, as having someone on the team who is regarded as surplus to requirements is hardly going to be good for morale.

Someone get those blasted VENKYS OUT!!

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

55 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Signing both midfielders would make no sense at all.

Perfect sense. Don't  buy a proven injury free midfielder for £2-3 mill on champ wages. 

Haggle the fees down for 2 potentially talented players due to the known medical history.  Cheap pay as you play  contract for both.  Sign both for less than the experienced fee and lower combined wages. 

One is injured till December so the other starts.  When he gets injured around Christmas, the other guy is ready to go.  

You can see the cogs in the minds of our execs beginning to whirl.

Edited 2 hours ago by Wing Wizard Windy Miller

[Old Codger]

1 minute ago, Wing Wizard Windy Miller said:

Perfect sense. Don't  buy a proven injury free midfielder for £2-3 mill on champ wages. 

Haggle the fees down for 2 potentially talented players potentially due to the known medical history.  Cheap pay as you play  contract for both.  Sign both for less than the experienced fee and lower combined wages. 

One is injured till December so the other starts.  When he gets injured around Christmas, the other guy is ready to go.  

You can see the cogs in the minds of our execs beginning to whirl.

Yup - moronic little turds, playing fantasy football on their PCs and taking the algorithmic outcomes as gospel.

Wankers!

 

[Mercer]

13 minutes ago, ObiWhan8t7 said:

 Crohns is a nasty illness that progresses over time. But it affects everyone differently. Energy levels, arthritis in joints, flair ups, There’s no cure and the medication is hit n miss. Flair ups can hit you at any given  time with no warning and they are very bad, could even hospitalise you for short amounts of time and morphine is needed to stop the pain. This deal is a gamble, and no medical can tell you if it’s going good or bad. Put it this way 16 months ago I was told my crohns were fine with no issues, 3 months later I’m having emergency surgery fighting for my life with a perforated intestine 

Glad you got through it!

Hope things have settled down for you.

[Paul Mani]

21 minutes ago, rovers11 said:

If we sign Miller, Henriksson, and Baradji then the quality of our transfer dealings this summer rockets. Not impressed with who we've signed already but these 3 players are the calibre of players we should be aiming for and will be very good additions once fully settled.

I think all 3 deals will get done. Baradji will replace Travis.

Still need a RW, ST, and CD and then we are there. 

Agreed re the quality (seemingly of those three)

FWIW - Those who’ve watched us seem to think in possession, that we become 3421, meaning the RB (Miller) pushes into midfield, the left side (De Neve) stays in situ, and the LB (Ribeiro) becomes a LCB. What it also means is that the RM tucks in an attacking position, next to Cantwell and behind O’hashi.

If this is correct then Henriksson and Baradji perfectly fit that RAM birth.

So we wouldn’t need a RW.

[Torgeir]

We will have to sign a witch doctor on a pay as you play deal