Accrington Defender Close to Joining Blues
Monday, 30th Jul 2018 11:41

Accrington Stanley manager John Coleman has revealed that the Blues are closing in on the signing of central defender Janoi Donacien. TWTD understands Town have agreed a deal with the League One club but with personal terms and the other formalities relating to the move still to be finalised.

The 24-year-old St Lucian, who also plays at right-back, missed training today and when quizzed by the Lancashire Telegraph Coleman said the 6ft tall defender is close to joining the Blues.

Donacien, who moved to the UK with has family in 2001, was an academy youngster with Luton, Tottenham and Aston Villa before spending time out on loan with Tranmere, Wycombe and Newport while a Villans player.

Having failed to break into the first team at Villa Park, Donacien moved to Accrington on a free transfer in the summer of 2016. Since then he has made 85 starts and seven sub appearances, scoring once. Last season he helped Stanley to the League Two title.

Town are desperately in need of additions at centre-half with skipper Luke Chambers currently the only out-and-out senior central defender on the books following Adam Webster's departure to Bristol City.

Asked Coley about Janoi Doancien who wasn’t here today. His answer: ‘I think it’s getting finalised today, not done yet, but I’d be surprised if he’s not an Ipswich player by tonight.’ #ASFC #ITFC– Alex James (@alexjameshack) July 30, 2018

Donacien could be one of two central defensive signings the Blues make before Saturday's opening game against Blackburn with manager Paul Hurst implying that Curtis Tilt being rested by Blackpool on Saturday could be good news in his long-standing pursuit of the 26-year-old.

If Donacien completes his move to the Blues he will become the second St Lucian to represent Town following striker Earl Jean, who made one sub appearance in December 1996.

Yesterday, Town were again linked with another Accrington player, striker Kayden Jackson.

Photo: Action Images

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mathiemagic added 13:22 - Jul 30 I just dont get some of the negative comments on here. I would much prefer young players from the lower league who PH has obviously seen and/or scouted before. They will take some time to settle in to life in the championship for sure, but much rather that than journeymen has been's that MM seemed to love signing. Long may this trend continue. #IPHWT
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scunnyblue added 13:26 - Jul 30 Interesting skysports transfer center says kaydon jackson is close to joining town as part of the vydra to leed move which has collasped. Could this be a double signing from Accrinton i wonder. jackson and this defender mentioned above
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toxtethblue added 13:30 - Jul 30

Fyi, I hated MM and was very pleased when he went. He was this club's 2nd biggest problem imo after ME. So
in answer to your question where you state "given the budget we have..." That is our issue. ME is the issue. I like Hurst and he will do well with what he has to work with but if we just had an owner who was prepared to invest just a bit more, I'm not talking about Derby style spending, but an owner who could invest just sufficiently then I think Hurst would have a good chance of taking us up. That is the reason for my frustration as we will not go up with ME as owner unless he has a scrooge like conversion type moment. Hurst may be good but he's not Jesus.

Gcon added 13:34 - Jul 30 toxtethblue's opinion is completely valid - even if you don't agree with it
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Ipswich_Crazy added 13:36 - Jul 30 TractorBoyTommy: Just because he plays for a league 1 club doesn't make him crap! GET BEHIND THE TEAM FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! Paul Hurst and the lads need our support this season, not moaners!
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toxtethblue added 13:36 - Jul 30 To add; some young hungry lower league signings are great, I agree, much better than 35 year old past it journeymen. They can't all come from this source though without there being an inevitable drop in quality.
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BlueandTruesince82 added 13:41 - Jul 30 We seem to have acquired a couple of fans since PHs appointment. Never seen a single post then all over it, maybe the job centre in Mile Cross needs to up it's game. 24, another hungry young player we all cries out for for the last 5 years. Like to see Tilt in too
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DJ27 added 13:44 - Jul 30

Toxteth - Thanks for your reply - and that is a much more constructive point. Unfortunatlely ME isn't going to invest heavily on player signings, but he is a solid and stable owner who does have the best interests of the Club and will protect the club from going into administration again. So there are pro's and cons to his ownership. So whether we like it or not this is the route we are going down for the forseeable future. We might not be able to compete financially on transfers, but where we can compete is getting PR rocking again, getting right behind the team, the manager and these new players, who may not have played in front of 20,000 before, so are going to be a little nervous to start with. So lets not get on their backs, lets support them and who knows where we will end up. For the first time in ages, i'm buzzing for this season, and i for one am excited to see Edwards, Harrison, Dozzell and who else Hurst may bring in, it could be a very exciting season!

toxtethblue added 13:52 - Jul 30 DJ27, I agree. I always support the team when I go, sing louder than 95% etc. I go to NW games mainly for obvious reasons. That doesn't mean I have to like ME or his austerity footy ways. Being conservative and cautious is one thing but mark my words we will not go up in another 10 or even 20 years without a greater degree of investment.
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DJ27 added 14:00 - Jul 30 Toxteth - So we agree in the end! Although i'm hoping your wrong about your last point!
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toxtethblue added 14:06 - Jul 30 Trust me DJ so do I...
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Bluesparx added 14:17 - Jul 30 Not really heard of this guy and with the possibility of Jackson coming in too seems like PH definitely has specific targets in mind and not just bringing players in to make up the numbers...anyone know what's happened with our interest with Tilt?
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