Former Rangers striker Kyle Lafferty wants to extend his stay at Sarpsborg, according to a Sky Sports report.
The 32-year-old striker’s contract was terminated by mutual consent in late July after a disappointing second stint at Ibrox.
Having been signed by Steven Gerrard from Hearts, he started promisingly but ultimately failed to produce enough in front of goal, scoring just six times in 30 appearances [Soccerbase].
After around a month as a free agent, the Northern Ireland international made a bizarre move to join Sarpsborg 08 FF, a side who at that time, were rooted to the bottom of the Norwegian Eliteserien.
On paper, it looks like he’s really struggled. One goal in seven appearances [Soccerbase], in an unfancied European league, isn’t anything to write home about.
However, in a short Sky Sports feature following his life in Norway, Lafferty certainly looks centre-stage.
In footage from a 3-2 win over Tromso earlier this month, he picks out a teammate with a cross to provide an assist and hits the post with a powerful drive.
The Sarpsborg fans chanted his name during the game, while his manager was full of praise after it.
“He’s good to find space in behind the opponent and in between them and he gives to the teammates out there with his charisma and his passion for the play,” Geir Bakke told Sky Sports. “It’s fun for us as a club and for Norwegian football.”
At the end of the piece, journalist Paul Gilmour states: “His contract is up in December when the Norwegian season ends, he says he would like to stay, but if that doesn’t work out, the next adventure will not be far away.”
When news broke of Lafferty’s switch to Norway, the only way it seemed to make sense was as a short-term fix with a view to getting a better move elsewhere come January.
Yet, he’s clearly enjoying living in Oslo with his family and should Sarpsborg survive relegation, he could stay for another campaign.
