Thursday was a good day for Head Shopper Rune Bratseth. Mikael Dorsin signed the contract with RBK, and at the same time, Sogndal agreed to sell Robbie Russell.

Dorsin now an RBK player

faktaboks

Robert Isaac Oleen Russell Date of birth: 16.07.1979 Place of birth: Amherst, Massachusetts Height: 185 cm Weight: 85 kg Position: Left back and midfield Previous clubs: Duke University, Los Angeles Galaxy, Sogndal National team matches: ? A-matches for USA

Already past winter, Rosenborg wanted to buy the American, who still is a hot name for his homeland's National team. Then, the transfer stranded because Russell himself did not want to change club.

During the spring, the 24-year old changed opinion, and in May he signalled that he would like very much to play for RBK. Shortly thereafter, Rosenborg contacted Sogndal to explore the possibilities for a transfer.

After some hassle the past weeks, Thursday it was made final: Sogndal agrees to sell Robbie Russel, and has reached agreement on a transfer sum.

The bottom team of the league will get EUR 350.000 in cash from Rosenborg, Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reports. Later Sogndal will get additionally EUR 60.000 when Russell has played both 25 and 50 matches.

To that, Sogndal will receive another EUR 120.000 if RBK qualifies for the Champions League coming August. The total sums up to around EUR 600.000. The seller is pleased:

"We are well pleased with the economical part of this agreement - a sum in cash, and money for played games. The total is hence made dependent upon success. Robbie is not a player we wanted to let go. He has done a great job for Sogndal, but we do not wish to hinder him as he now wants new challenges," Sogndal Director Yngve Hallén says to Western Norwegian daily Bergens Tidende.

The next task for Bratseth is to reach an agreement with the right back on his personal terms. But this should be a formality, as the player himself wants to go to Trondheim, and Rosenborg can definitely offer a better wage than what Sogndal could manage.

If all goes according to schedule, Robbie Russell can start playing for Rosenborg July 1st, the same date as Mikael Dorsin and Christer George (back from a loan to Spanish club Cordoba).

PS! As most of you remember, Russell scored a goal against none other than RBK, in the 3-3 match at Fosshaugane a short while ago.