RELEASED Shakers striker Kemajl Avdiu has signed for Swedish Second Division club Vasalunds IF.

The Kosovan-born naturalised Swede is the first of the five players surplus to requirement at the end of the season to get fixed up with a new club.

Avdiu, a pacy front-runner, promised much during his 18-month spell at Gigg Lane but didn't shine when he got the opportunity at first team level.

He arrived in the summer of 1998 from Danish club Esberg and spent the early part of the 1998-99 campaign on trial.

After impressing in the Shakers' Pontin's League team he was rewarded with a contract in the October.

"Kemo" as he was known spent a few months on trial in Scottish football with Partick Thistle last season but returned for another year at the end of the campaign earning an extension to his contract.

After some useful games in the reserves Andy Preece gave him a number first team matches in the second half of the season just ended but he invariably flattered to deceive and the decision was made to release him.

"We wish "Kemo" luck and I'm sure with the right people around him he'll do well in the game," said Preece.

"We gave him his chance but felt that he didn't really show us enough and under the circumstances had to let him go.

"He could be a frustrating player, some fans loved him and some didn't, but he has potential and will do okay."

Preece himself is close to agreeing a two-year deal which he expects to be signed and sealed very soon.

He admitted that things were pretty quiet on the transfer front and expects it to 'liven up' in a couple of weeks time when managers and players return from their holidays.