The following is a selection of detail and quotes from the deals that happened in the Championship this week.
Chris Iwelumo from Charlton Athletic to Wolves – Undisclosed
Iwelumo moves to Wolves after one season with the Addicks, where he scored 10 goals in 46 appearances. He moved to the Valley after rejuvenating his career at Championship surprise package Colchester United.
After rejecting a new deal with the U`s Iwelumo, formerly of Stoke City, made his way to the Valley, where he finished top goalscorer playing a part in every fixture. This wasn`t enough to convince manager Alan Pardew who let him leave the club for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Manager Mick McCarthy said:
‘I’m delighted we’ve managed to sign Chris,’
‘He’s got a good physical presence and, coming up to 30, plenty of experience as well.”
‘He’s played a lot of games and scored goals, certainly over the last three years, and just from talking to him you can see how he’s a good character.”
Charlie Mulgrew from Wolves to Aberdeen – Undisclosed
Whilst one came in at Molineux, Charlie Mulgrew left the club, going back to Scotland with SPL side Aberdeen. Mulgrew who signed from Celtic back in 2006 has only made 6 appearances for the side in Gold and Black and was out on loan to league one Southend United last season.
CEO Jez Moxey stated:
‘Charlie was unfortunate to be affected by some untimely injuries during his first season with us, and after that found it difficult to break back into the first team line-up.”
‘He is at an age where he really needs to be playing regular football, hence his loan move to Southend for the second half of last season where he helped the team into the League One play-offs.”
David McNamee to Plymouth Argyle – Free Transfer
David McNamee signed on a free transfer following his release from Coventry City. The Sky Blues signed the full back for a £100,000 price tag back in 2006 from Livingston, however he does not feature as part of Chris Coleman`s plans.
The defender who also had a brief spell with Blackburn Rovers spoke on the deal taking him to Home Park.
‘I wanted a change of scenery and I have heard about the fans down here, and the closely-knit squad.”
The defender also has four international caps to his name for Scotland.
Darren Byfield to Doncaster Rovers – Free Transfer
Following his untimely release from Bristol City, Darren Byfield has aroused the interests of many clubs at this level, but opted to join Championship new boys Doncaster Rovers.
The Jamaican international with 6 caps and a goal to his name, started out life at Aston Villa before spells at Championship level with Walsall, Rotherham, Sunderland, Gillingham, before playing at the level below with Millwall. Bristol City then snapped him up, and he was somewhat of a revelation at Ashton Gate, finishing top goalscorer in a sucessful season for the Robins.
This wasn`t enough to earn him a new deal and despite being linked with moves back to League One with Millwall and Walsall tracking their former player he opted for the Keepmoat and spoke following the announcement:
‘I’m delighted to have signed for Doncaster Rovers,’ said Byfield minutes after putting pen-to-paper on his deal.”
‘I’m really looking forward to it now. It’s a good club that has just been promoted to the Championship. Donny being in the Championship is a big thing and with the football that is being played here – I wanted to be a part of it.’
Emad Moteab from Al Ahly to Bristol City – £1,500,000.
Moteab signs for the Robins on a club record deal from Egyptian side Al Ahly and brings a wealth of international experience to Ashton Gate. An goalscoring striker by trade he has made 47 international appearances scoring 22 goals.
The deal beats the previous record which brought Ade Akinbiyi to Ashton Gate, but Moteab looks to repay the fee by recapturing prolific from that he has shown in Egypt making 172 appearances and scoring 89 goals.
‘I’m happy to be here and I hope to give all my best for Bristol City.” Moteab stated
‘I want to give my best for the manager (Gary Johnson), who I like very much.”
‘I am a natural striker and I know all about Bristol City. I know the kind of supporters that are waiting to see me play.”
Marcus Bent from Charton Athletic to Birmingham City
Marcus was due to sign for Cardiff City, but Birmingham City swooped to take the experienced striker to St. Andrews from Charlton Athletic for an undisclosed fee.
Birmingham is Bent`s ninth club as he will look to provide some invaluable experience alongside Kevin Phillips and James McFadden for the season ahead.
He has made 429 league appearance in his career scoring 89 league goals, last season he was playing in the Premier League on loan from Wigan.
Manager Alex McLeish spoke about the deal taking Bent to St. Andrews:
‘Marcus is a big unit and I’m hoping that he can keep the ball alive up there, cause some problems and make a contribution goals-wise.
‘Also, I’m looking for him to bring other people into play and create space and opportunities for others.’
John Harley from Burnley to Watford – Undisclosed
Harley, formerly of Chelsea and Fulham failed to agree a deal with former club Burnley and subsequently signalled his intent to leave the club in the summer.
Aidy Boothroyd came calling with Watford and Jon jumped at the chance of a move back down south. He has scored 12 league goals in his career, and is billed as a free-kick specialist. He is Watford`s first summer signing of a very dormant transfer market for the Hornets.
Harley was delighted with the deal stating:
‘I’m chuffed to bits with having signed. I can’t wait to get down to work with the promotion chase.
‘It wasn’t so much a decision I had to make, just more the case that Watford wanted me and I wanted them. It was as easy as that, I didn’t even have to think about it.’
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