Double deal for Johnson
By Matt Pitman

Thursday 20th January 2005

STEVE Johnson has secured two new signings to ease Weymouth's crippling injury crisis.

The Terras boss has snapped up former Anderlecht youngster Ludovic Cadima on a permanent deal, while he has also taken Yeovil Town midfielder Nicolas Mirza on a month's loan.

Johnson has also failed in an audacious bid for Hereford United and former Yeovil Town marksman Adam Stansfield.

The deals come as Weymouth face having nine first team players out injured for Saturday's big home clash with Conference South play-off rivals Thurrock.

Former Anderlecht forward Cadima, 18, is a product of the Belgian giants youth system and recently had a short stint with Bristol City.

Johnson said: "I'm delighted to get both lads and hopefully I'll get at least a couple month before the weekend.

"Ludovic has a good pedigree having been on the books at Anderlecht and has come to England to try and make it over here.

"He's been at Bristol City for a couple of months but, for one reason or another, they were unable to offer him a long-term deal.

"I've seen Ludo play a couple of times and he's looks an exciting prospect.

"He can play either up front or wide on the right which is where I see him lining up for us because we are short in that area."

He added: "I'm also grateful to my brother (Gary Johnson) at Yeovil for allowing us to take Nicolas for a month.

"I'm in a situation now where loans are not ideal because I'm only allowed to make a cou'ple more shor-term deals this season.

"But our current injury situation has dictated urgent action is needed and I'm sure Nicolas will do well for us in midfield.

"He was at Paris St Germain before joining Yeovil in the summer and I know Gary thinks quite a lot of the lad.

"The Yeovil players call Nicolas 'Vieira' after the Arsenal player and if Nicolas is half as good as him we're on to a winner."

Johnson hopes to secure a striker before the weekend after being turned down for Hereford hot-shot Stansfield.

"I put a substantial offer in for Adam but Hereford boss Graham Turner turned me down," he said.

"It's a shame because Stansfield would be an excellent signing but he is one of their leading scorers and naturally don't want to lose him."