After analyzing the situation, Fulham F.C. agreed to discuss terms with the Forest team regarding Edwin van der Sar. When Forest first offered 2 million pounds, Fulham turned it down without a thought. They felt that if Forest team was truly hoping to acquire Edwin van der Sar, they should at least show enough sincerity.

As such, Forest team upped the offer to 2.5 million. This time, Fulham hesitated for a while and made no prompt reply.

As they were hesitating, the Nottingham Evening Post published an interview article with Tang En. In the article, Tang En spoke of matters relating to the football team, one of which was their issue with the goalkeeper. While he did not deny the discussion with Fulham F.C., he still made no confirmation of Edwin van der Sar's transferral. Regarding goalkeepers, he made mention of Frey in Parma and expressed his admiration for a goalkeeper like him. Thinking of the goals lost by Forest and Parma's recent financial situation, everyone thought Tony Twain must be interested in Frey and hoping to bring him to England.

Forest's and Manchester United's expansive hunt for a goalkeeper was no longer news; Forest's goal losses in the first half of the season were ranked at the top. Everyone could tell that Darren Ward was done.

After lengthy consideration, Fulham finally agreed to Forest's offer of 2.5 million pounds. Now, Tang En could directly discuss terms with Edwin van der Sar.

Before this half of the season, Forest had held almost no allure for Edwin van der Sar. But the situation had taken a turn. Nottingham Forest successfully entered the knock-out phase of the UEFA Europa League and was in the top ranks of the English Premier League. Other than losing to Liverpool, Forest had the upper-hand practically whenever they played against a strong team. They exhibited abilities that were completely mismatched with their identity as a newly promoted team. Edwin van der Sar was an intelligent man. While there was not even a glimpse of a shadow of the promise with Manchester United, this was a real opportunity in front of him. He had long been eager to leave Fulham F.C, which was half-dead. Nearing the end of his professional career, wasn't it good that he could still join a club that aspired to something?

He did not know that after the summer transferral next year to Manchester United, he would not only help Manchester United win a league championship but would also become one of the most stable players in Manchester United.

Forest promised no adjustment to his salary and would maintain it at a weekly fee of 40 thousand. There were also additional rewards should he perform well. His contract would span two and a half years, and thereafter they would decide if the contract should be renewed after a review of his condition. After all, Edwin van der Sar would be 36 in two years, and no one knew how well he could still perform at that point.

Edwin van der Sar was extremely satisfied with the contract and signed it.

Before Christmas, the official website of Nottingham Forest and numerous media sources reported that the Dutch goalkeeper from Fulham F.C., Edwin van der Sar, had signed a contract with Forest team. The contract would take effect on January 1, 2005, until June 30, 2007. Concrete details of the salary were not publicised.

Tang En was delighted about Edwin van der Sar's final decision to join Forest. To him, although the Dutch veteran was not part of the plan for Forest, his arrival enabled Forest to pass through the next two years with some stability. With this time, Tang En could continue to unearth young and promising goalies in the transfer market. Furthermore, Forest's defensive line also needed Edwin van der Sar's experience. Hierro was already 36 years old. With his age and affected health, he would not get many chances to be fielded.

The goalkeeper was a position that would not be easily changed once it stabilized. Tang En felt at ease with Edwin van der Sar directing defense at the back.

Once again, Tony Twain successfully snatched a coveted player right from under Alex Ferguson's nose. It seemed that the feud between the two would only get bigger and bigger. After snatching away the supposed main goalkeeper for Manchester United, who would they pick in the future to re-enact their glory?

Tang En could not find the answer. On another note, Tang En had no way of knowing the expression on Sir Ferguson's face after hearing news of Edwin van der Sar getting stolen by Forest.

Secretly, Tang En did not think there would be any statements such as, "I greatly admire him" appearing between him and such a legend of a manager within the English Premier League.

Why so? It was not that Ferguson looked down on Tang En, or that Tang En was a snob. It was because, in the future, they would become each other's most ferocious opponents.

※※※

Before Christmas, the League matches reached the 18th round. With seven wins, six draws, and five losses, Nottingham Forest was ranked eighth with a total of 27 points. At their best, they were ranked fourth. If not for their streak of lost goals in their recent league matches, they could have sat steadily at rank five.

Tang En was saddened by their two-match losing streak to teams whose abilities were only low to middle tier. Now that they have signed on Edwin van der Sar, he hoped it could change Forest's terrible ball-loss count.

The League's 19th round of matches was held on December 26. Nottingham Forest, who had lost two matches in a row, would be on their home ground welcoming the fight against Southampton, who was ranked second from the bottom. This was a great chance for the team to break out of their lull.

The day before the match, the team only trained for half a day. Tang En only remembered that it was Christmas when he saw another Christmas tree being put up in the living room of Building One and the presents piled up beneath it.

Another year had passed in a blink of an eye.

He stood beneath the tree watching the players engrossed in searching for packages with their names. Everything felt so familiar. Other than having changed a few people, it was no different from a year ago.

When he spotted Wood not participating in the fun but walking towards him, he immediately knew something was going on.

"Merry Christmas, George."

"Merry Christmas, Sir."

"How's your mother feeling?"

"Good. She asked me to invite the both of you for dinner tonight at our place." As Wood said that he looked around him, seemingly somewhat embarrassed.

"Both of us?"

"You and that…" Wood frowned as he recalled, and continued. "Dunn, the Chinese guy."

Tang En scratched his head. He had forgotten about Dunn… Was his subconscious hoping that there wouldn't be a third wheel? There was no way he could know.

"Sure. When training is over, we can go over to the Youth Training Grounds. I have to go call him."

Wood nodded at him but made no move to leave. Instead, he dug out a small box from his coat and thrust it into Tang En's hands. He then turned to return to the Christmas tree in search of his own present.

Tang En tore off the wrapper. A shiny ZIPPO lighter sat in the box. It was not a particularly valuable gift. But a small greeting card lay beneath the lighter, and on it was scrawled,

"Thank you. Merry Christmas."

Tang En smiled.