Martyn Waghorn deal tops a busy day for Leicester City
Martyn Waghorn completed a stunning return to Leicester City after an eventful transfer deadline day.
The 20-year-old striker joined City from Sunderland just before the deadline closed for an initial £2million fee which could rise to £3m with clauses.
Japan international Yuki Abe also completed his move to the Walkers Stadium after City won an appeal to gain a work permit, while DJ Campbell finalised his protracted move to Premier League side Blackpool for a fee believed to be just under £1.5m.
But City missed out on two defensive targets, Swansea City's Ashley Williams and Hull City's Kamil Zayatte.
It will be the arrival of Waghorn which will capture the imagination of City fans, but it was a deal that was nearly scuppered.
City had left a £2m transfer on the table after it was originally rejected in the summer by Sunderland, but the Black Cats decided to take up the offer to fund the club record signing of Asamoah Gyan from Rennes for just over £13m.
Waghorn underwent a medical and agreed terms yesterday lunchtime, but his move was then put on hold as Sunderland would not sanction the transfer until the Gyan deal was completed. City had to wait until minutes before the deadline before they could get their man.
Waghorn said he was excited at being back at City.
"I have come to play football and help the club get where it belongs," he said.
"I was out shopping on Monday when I got the call to say Leicester were interested and within a couple of hours I was on my way down. It has all been a bit of a blur."
City chairman Milan Mandaric said the deal proved the intentions of the new owners, the Asian Football Investments consortium, led by Aiyawatt Raksriaksorn, known as Top.
"Top has recognised a talented, young English striker and has provided the financial backing to turn the dream of Waggy's return into reality," said Mandaric.
"I know the fans will be as pleased as I am at the return of Waggy.
"I know that Paulo (Sousa, City manager) has wanted to make this signing for quite some time."
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by CoalvilleFox, NW Leics
Thursday, September 02 2010, 7:00AM
“Who says we don't live in amazing times. First Leicester spend £2 million on a player. Then a proper football debate takes place on here. Nice one lads! The added bonus is that Mr Alias, you know same gag under a different name every 3 minutes has been made to look very sad indeed. I suppose he must be, I mean what normal person would want to have to keep setting up email addy and password every time? Things sure move slow in Melton I reckon.”
by kiwikeith, Wanganui New Zealand.
Thursday, September 02 2010, 1:33AM
“Nav Sandshoe
For your information the Asian Yuki, that is joining out club is Japanese not Chinese you ignorant plank.
Clear of and sh1t stir somewhere else you are no city supporter.
Up the City!!”
by chappy, plymouth
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 11:42PM
“Fosse to fox,
Some good debates mate, I thought I did big posts, somehow you've escaped the wrath of the board.
Nav - Everyone gets something different from this board, fun, information, debate, attention, whatever, but everyone (apart from Red boy ), is a City fan. Sometimes your points get negated, sometime they get slated, sometimes even debated, you have to take the rough with the smooth.
please...
give up on the Nationalist cause and support the club for what they are. The club will be here long after all of us. Suffer it when it's bad, Enjoy it when it's good, it's what unites us and separates us from Glory Supporters who chose a team rather than supporting one.”
by Fosse_to_Fox, Long Eaton
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 11:02PM
“I¿m sure that there will be a fair old number of decent players excluded from the Premiership club¿s 25-man squads just right for loaning out to the likes of us.
I¿m not so sure that will include Robbie Keane, terrific as it would be, but even so there will be some quality available, particularly as this is the first year of the rule and many clubs won¿t have adapted to it as yet. No doubt Sousa has looked at this and has his eye on one or two.
As to what has happened to the remainder of our £10 million transfer fund, I don¿t see why we have to act as if it is burning a hole in our pocket. We¿ve now got a decent-sized squad of good players and should rise up the table once everyone is fit and settled. Far better to spend the money wisely where Sousa eventually decides it is needed, including on potential loan player¿s wages, than to rush to do so just because there were only a few days left before the transfer window closed when the money was made available.”
by Fosse_to_Fox, Long Eaton
Wednesday, September 01 2010, 10:44PM
“It¿s quite right that the top teams that play with 2 defensive midfielders also tend to have split strikers.
As to whether we¿ve also got the right sort of players to do this, I¿m not sure that King is ready for the withdrawn role as yet. He may be, though, once he¿s got more experience and guile. Of the 3 players mentioned, I would say Gallagher should be the best at it, with King elsewhere in the team. Howard would be a non-starter in that role.
I would actually play Fryatt in the hole with Waghorn ahead of him. Fryatt¿s certainly got the skill and vision to do this whilst Waghorn has the greater pace. And both have the right instincts to get their fair share of goals.
I agree that all our defensive woes should go away if we can get Tunchev back to full fitness. Let¿s hope so for his sake.”