Wigan complete signing of Boro starlet
Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 15:27
Wigan sign former England under-21 captain Lee Cattermole from Middlesbrough for initial fee of £3.5 million
Wigan have signed former England under-19 captain Lee Cattermole from
Middlesbrough for an initial fee of £3.5 million.
Cattermole has signed a three-year deal at the JJB Stadium in a transfer that could rise to £4 million.
The 20-year-old midfielder admitted he was sad to be leaving the Riverside after 91 games for his hometown club.
"I'm sad to be leaving my hometown club in many ways and I want to thank all the supporters and the club for everything they have done for me over the years," the England under-21 international said.
"I just think the time is right for a new challenge and I see working with Steve Bruce here at Wigan as a fantastic opportunity because this is a team really going places.
"You just need to look at the squad to see that and I know I'm going to have to work really hard to get into the team."
Wigan manager Bruce could not hide his delight at capturing Cattermole, who he believes can go on to become a full England international and one of the club's greatest-ever players.
"He's got everything going for him, he's young, he's courageous, he's a tireless worker and I think he can have a great career in football, hopefully for this club," Bruce said.
"He only turned 20 in April, and already he has played nearly 70 games in the Premier League, as well as in the Uefa Cup. That's exceptional. He can be a great leader of the future."