Tony Capaldi opts to join Cystal Palace over Plymouth Argyle
ARGYLE manager Peter Reid has seen his bid to sign Tony Capaldi end in failure, with the left-back deciding to move to Championship club Crystal Palace instead.
Reid confirmed Capaldi had been offered terms by the Pilgrims, after the 28-year-old impressed as a trialist on the pre-season tour to the Netherlands.
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Tony Capaldi
But Capaldi, who was part of Argyle's 2003/04 Division Two title-winning squad, has been training with Palace this week.
He played 45 minutes of their 0-0 draw at Bromley on Tuesday, and has impressed Eagles' boss George Burley.
Capaldi is expected to get another run-out for Palace when they travel across London to take on Brentford this evening.
Burley said: "He's an experienced Championship defender and fills the hole we have at left-back.
"Young Lee Hills will be out injured for a few months and we need someone to fill that gap.
"The signing will give us three recognised full-backs, with David Wright, Nathaniel Clyne and now Tony."
Reid had been philosophical about the prospect of Capaldi signing for Palace.
"It's a Championship club and if they offer him something then I might be struggling, but the boy has been a credit," said Reid.
"I spoke to him on Wednesday. I left a message on his phone but he called me back. He has been great.
"We have offered him something, but Palace are in there as well. That's football."
The Pilgrims' boss has been running the rule over Lee Molyneux, another trialist left-back, this week.
Reid insisted that was not solely because of the possibility of Capaldi signing for Palace.
He also wanted to take a look at Zimbabwe international left-back Onismor Bhasera in a wide midfield role.
Bhasera impressed when pushed further forward in the second half of Argyle's 1-0 pre-season win away to Hereford United on Wednesday.
Molyneux quit Southampton by mutual consent at the end of last season.
The 21-year-old played the second half against Hereford at left-back, with Bhasera ahead of him in midfield.
"Lee hasn't had many games and I think he's just lacking in fitness," said Reid.
"It was interesting when Bas went to the left-side. I thought he did well there."
Molyneux could get another run-out for Argyle against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road tonight.
Reid added: "He will be down here for a couple of weeks."
Meanwhile, Argyle are still waiting for international clearance to play French trialist Stephane Zubar.
The 23-year-old right-sided defender could not take part in the victory over Hereford.
Zubar, who has spent the last two seasons with SC Vaslui in Romania's Liga 1, is not expected to feature against QPR either.
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by David, Plymouth
Saturday, July 31 2010, 12:58PM
“I was never a big fan of Capaldi - I always thought he could have produced more than he did - but to be fair to him I believe PR approached him.
You can't blame him for joining a team in a higher league & probably on higher wages.”
by Colin, Beacon Park, Plymouth
Friday, July 30 2010, 3:03PM
“Delighted that Capaldi chose Palace, maybe i am a bit old fashioned, but loyalty should count for something, clearly not with him, pity Argyle did not show more respect to their supporters by ignoring his attempted return.”
by Dave, Saudi
Friday, July 30 2010, 2:54PM
“Undersatnd him choosing Palace (money championship football blah blah) but hope PR request Capaldi repays all the money spent on him for the training trip to Holland. They could have taken somebody who was more committed to the cause. COYG.”
by Adam, mids
Friday, July 30 2010, 12:41PM
“Rob, £4k a week is £200,000... I know where i'd be going, for doing the same job.”
by Matt, Launceston
Friday, July 30 2010, 10:56AM
“We can't blame Capaldi for wanting to play Championship football! It has nothing to do with loyalty. As PR said, TC has been 'great'. He will be on better wages with Palace so good luck to him. TC was a great servant to Argyle over the years, let's not forget that!”