Bermuda's two English League soccer players, Kyle Lightbourne and Shawn Goater, have been offered one-year contracts with their respective clubs.

But while Lightbourne might sign for Third Division Walsall before he returns to Bermuda this Thursday, Goater's talks with Second Division Rotherham United will continue for some weeks.

Lightbourne was surprised by Walsall's improved wage offer, while Goater will have to use his negotiating skills to get closer to what he's asking from Rotherham.

"The terms were the same as last year with a one-year contract,'' Goater disclosed last night. A season ago he held out for a better financial package -- and even started the new season without a contract -- before ending up with a 100 increase per week.

"I'm looking for something close to that,'' Goater confirmed. "They were just trying to feel me out and see what I want to do with my future.

"I have to get back to him (manager Phil Henson) within three weeks to say what I'm going to do with their offer, which is turn it down. It's a cat-and-mouse game.

"I'll have to notify him in writing with what I'm going to do with the offer.

Once I do it in writing they will have it on file. I went through it last year.'' Goater says it's no secret at the club that he has ambitions of playing in a higher division.

And obtaining British residency status about six weeks ago could help him achieve that goal. He is now no longer considered a foreign player and therefore is free to join another club on loan, which often leads to a transfer.

Goater spent a period on loan to Notts County earlier in the season which might have eventually led to a move, had it not been for his work permit situation. "Now I can go on loan anywhere -- before I had to get a work permit to go on loan,'' he explained.

"It was like applying for a new work permit.'' Goater was confident something could have come out of the Notts County loan.

"Mick Walker (manager) watched me play a few games and said he was impressed.

He felt I was a player capable of filling the gap. They had a few injuries in their squad.

"The only way I could have been released by Rotherham was for somebody to sign me outright.'' Should that eventually happen, then Manchester United, the league and FA Cup champions, stand to benefit financially. For even though Goater has been an ex-Manchester United player for some four years, there is still a clause in the transfer deal that would enable them to capitalise.

United apparently saw enough potential in the young Goater to insist a clause be inserted in the deal that would guarantee them 50 percent of any transfer fee should Rotherham decide to sell.

"That's where they would get their returns,'' said Goater, who moved to Rotherham from United in a 35,000 ($53,000) deal.

Lightbourne, meanwhile, is due to meet with Walsall manager Kenny Hibbitt tomorrow to further discuss a new contract. He left yesterday's meeting encouraged by the new offer, but wants to add a clause that would enable him to benefit from the number of goals he scores.

"If it is not sealed on Wednesday there should just be some part of the contract to work out,'' said Lightbourne.

"We talked about the overall season and he said he was pleased with me. I was disappointed we didn't get promoted. We didn't win many games at home and that's what let us down.

"There is not that much wrong with the team -- maybe we just need to be strengthened in some areas.'' Lightbourne, like Goater, will return home on Thursday for the summer break before returning to England in early July.

"I want to have a nice summer and concentrate on going back next season,'' said Lightbourne. "It's a long season.'' GOATER -- waiting.

LIGHTBOURNE -- ready to sign.