DJ dealt with delay in professional manner
DJ Campbell said he tried to remain professional at Leicester City as he waited for the completion of his transfer deal to Blackpool.
The striker said the months since his loan at Bloomfield Road ended in May, when he had to return to City, had been tough as he yearned for a permanent move back to the Seasiders.
Campbell said he desperately wanted to rejoin Ian Holloway's men, but was determined to be professional at City until a deal was done.
Campbell certainly appeared committed as he scored five goals during pre-season for City and opened his league account in the 3-2 defeat at Crystal Palace on the opening day of the season.
Because of his form, boss Paulo Sousa said he thought Campbell had a big role to play for City this season, but the 28-year-old expressed his desire to join Blackpool and a deal was eventually done, now believed to be worth £1.25 million according to reports in Blackpool.
Campbell immediately flew out to Latvia with his new team-mates and scored their consolation goal in a 2-1 friendly defeat to FK Jelgava on Thursday night. "The last few months have been hard for me," admitted Campbell
"I am a footballer and I obviously wanted to still be professional at Leicester.
"It was difficult though. I kept in contact with a few of the lads at Blackpool.
"They showed me support by letting me know they wanted me to come back.
"My agent was speaking to the club so we knew that both parties wanted to do it. It was just about whether it was going to get done. Finally it has gone through and I am just delighted.
"I'm really pleased to be able to work with Ian Holloway again and the lads, although there's quite a few new lads here now.
"They've had some good results so far in the Premier League and I just want to be part of it and score some goals."
10 Comments
by peter Hill, ibstock
Sunday, September 05 2010, 5:47PM
“Let's see who scores more goals!
DJ for Blackpool
Waggers for Leicester.
If Holloway thinks DJ will score enough goals to keep Blackpool in the Prem he is deluded! A panic buy as he desperately tries fill his 25 man squad up.
DJ to get less than 10.
Waggers to get more than 15...”
by martin, s.leic
Sunday, September 05 2010, 3:21PM
“for sale striker [http://when he feels like it..|http://when he feels like it..] plays a schoolboy tyoe of football ..only plays fpr himself..free to good home.. 2012”
by Fosse_to_Fox, Long Eaton
Sunday, September 05 2010, 2:45PM
“You¿ve surely got to judge Campbell¿s ¿professionalism¿ over the whole of his 3-year stay with City, not just the fact that he scored a few goals in this pre-season¿s friendlies, and it¿s not a word that naturally comes to mind about him.
It would be interesting to find out Pearson¿s views of Campbell in that respect as well as I would imagine that was a quality he valued in his players over most others. Needless to say, there were probably very good reasons why he was happy for Campbell to go out on loan and why he didn¿t pick him very often when he wasn¿t.
Some footballers have a deluded sense of what professionalism in your job and to your employer is all about, and Campbell is one of them.”
by CoalvilleFox, NW Leics
Sunday, September 05 2010, 11:11AM
“I think I'd remain very professional for £20,000 a week.”
by peter Hill, ibstock
Sunday, September 05 2010, 8:22AM
“OUT -- DJ
IN -- Waghorn
mmm -- Nuff Sed mi finks”
by keith, Wanganui New Zealand.
Saturday, September 04 2010, 10:16PM
“Yes we are highly delighted that Hollowhead completed the sale for Campbell they both deserve each other.
Fred will be up to watch you as he reckons you are the best striker we have seen this century.
I don't know how he comes to that synopsis, as he hasn't been to watch Leicester play since 1972. To busy going to Nottingham I spose.
I don't think Campbell will score many against Premier league defenders. Highly overrated in my view.”
by Rich, Yorkshire
Saturday, September 04 2010, 9:56PM
“Professional and DJ Campbell, they are words that wont appear together very often.
Yes I'm sure it was really difficult for you, earning (did I write earning??) thousands of pounds for doing naff all, thats why it took forever to sort out your personal terms!! Why even right about it, no city fan will care and for only a million or so more we have a lad that will play with pride to wear our shirt.
So as Frony says do one old son, jog on and take him with you!!”
by ian, Barwell
Saturday, September 04 2010, 7:38PM
“Good to get him off the wage bill at last. Never did the bis for city we paid far to much for him through Martin Allen I will be suprised if he does anything in the prem.”
by Peter, Cambridge. Massachusetts
Saturday, September 04 2010, 5:23PM
“Good news! City dodged a bullet I think.”
by Steve Marriott, Northants
Saturday, September 04 2010, 9:49AM
“Lets hope we get Blackpool at home in the fa cup then we can show DJ what we think of his "professional ism"”