AN Austrian football talent spotter is trying to bring the Brazilian samba beat to a Darlington side cut to the bone by administration.

Josef Schulz, a former top division player and coach in his homeland, jetted out to Brazil yesterday on a mission to find players for Darlington’s new manager, Colin Todd.

Last year, he met George Houghton – then the Quakers’ chairman – during one of Mr Houghton’s business trips to the US to set up a feeder club for Darlington.

Mr Houghton returned to the US two weeks ago in a bid to find investment and secure the future of Darlington, which he placed in administration in February.

Although his talks to bring the club out of administration and sell it to former vicechairman Raj Singh are at an advanced stage, he is expected to be away for another week.

During his stay, he has also discussed with Mr Schulz the prospect of finding players for Darlington, whose playing squad is down to just a handful of contracted players.

Mr Schulz, 56, played 418 games in the Austrian top division, has a doctorate in economics and was assistant manager of the Rapid Vienna side which lost the 1985 European Cup Winners’ Cup Final to Everton.

He moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with the intention of retiring but soon set up his academy.

He has scouted across the world for European clubs and helped to unearth an array of talent in the US. One of the most prodigious is Jozy Altidore, a 19-year-old striker, who has scored six goals in nine international caps and last year signed for Spanish side Villarreal.

He has set up three games in Brazil to scout for possible players for Darlington, but is limited to those who hold an EU-passport, have played enough games for their country, and would be prepared to play in League Two.

Mr Schulz said: “I have one of the most successful academies in Florida and we have developed many players for the Major League soccer.

“When I met George, he was asking me to find players for Darlington. What we want to do is improve the players on the roster there.

“It is relatively difficult because of the English regulations for foreign players.

“I am going to Brazil to scout players for different countries, but also for Darlington, because Brazilian players often have EU passports.

I have five players lined up who could help.

“I also understand they are financially limited with paying the players, which makes it more difficult.

“It is a hard situation, but I am trying. We have built this relationship for the new season because they need players quickly. Brazilian players are always interesting.”

Mr Schulz is also talking to businesses in the US but admitted his primary role was to scout players.