Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Leadbitter's Boro Move Confirmed
Leadbitter's Boro Move Confirmed
Tuesday, 29th May 2012 16:56

Ex-Blues skipper Grant Leadbitter’s move to Middlesbrough on a Bosman free transfer has been confirmed by the North-East club. The 26-year-old, who had been expected to join the Teessiders since March, has signed a three-year deal.

Leadbitter, who told Town he wouldn’t be accepting the new deal on offer at Portman Road just before the end of the season, said: "I'm pretty excited. I wanted a fresh challenge and when the opportunity to join Middlesbrough came in, I just couldn't turn it down.

"I just want to play well for Middlesbrough and get the club in the Premier League."

Boro boss and former Blues skipper and coach Tony Mowbray added: "I am delighted we have managed to sign a player of Grant's quality, tenacity and competitive edge.

"In my mind, we are signing a player who has matured to have a good understanding of the game.

"Following the loss of Barry Robson, he will ensure that we will retain the competitive experience that we need in midfield.”


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



irishtim added 17:01 - May 29
Good riddance. Hope we go up & u stay in championship. Greed is why he moved. Not ambition. Funny how his best spell for uw was when he knew he was not dedicated to itfc.
0

Joetown95 added 17:02 - May 29
"Boro boss and former Blues skipper and coach Tony Mowbray added: "I am delighted we have managed to sign a player of Grant's quality" have fun with his sideways passing and poor set pieces
0

AlanMahon2011 added 17:02 - May 29
Bye leadboots!
0

Marshalls_Mullet added 17:10 - May 29
Sorry Grant, you failed to take on your last challenge with any rigour.

Need to fulfill that potential you showed in your Sunderland days so you have more than your bank balance to look back on, not just a mediocre football career.
0

Mark added 17:14 - May 29
"In my mind, we are signing a player who has matured to have a good understanding of the game."

In your mind, Tony, only in your mind.

He's an average Championship player and, for the money we spent on him (I reckon over £5 million quid in fees and wages!), one of the worst signings in ITFC history.
0

Garv added 17:17 - May 29
Chances are he will go there, fit right in and will become one of the best midfield players in the league, which will be very annoying after 3 pretty average years at Portman road.

I don't care what you all write on here, most of our fans are hoping Leadbitter fails completely at Boro.
0

village_blue added 17:20 - May 29
Lets just hope this is just another Norris type deal and Boro are fighting relegation next season.
0

Drew added 17:24 - May 29
Good, average player at best and not worth the £12k-£15k p/w we were paying him.
0

irishtim added 17:25 - May 29
Village blue. Amen to that.
0

SW1_Blue added 17:31 - May 29
How many good positions around the penalty box were wasted by his stupid long shots when a decent pass was on? I can't remember him scoring any in 3 years!!! Good riddance.
0

radiogaga added 17:34 - May 29
"I'm pretty excited. I wanted a fresh challenge."

That is quite possibly more enthusiasm than I ever heard from him in the 3 years he was here! Good riddance leadboots
0

BelsteadCav added 17:43 - May 29
Good luck Grant , a lot of talent . Shame it didn't work out here
0

Martus added 17:44 - May 29
Recon he'll be good for Boro. He's a player who needs quality around him, like Barry and Parker. Pitty really.
0

jas0999 added 17:50 - May 29
Certainly disagree that he was one of the worst signings in ITFC history. He actually performed very well in his first season and fans were very positive about him. Has been average since then, but was in the Championship Team of the week towards the end of the season after some good performances.

Also, wrongly booed by a small section of fans which clearly affected confidence.

Disappointing that we failed to a) renew his contract or b) raise some cash last Summer by selling him. Clegg has to take the blame for that.

I wish Grant well, but clearly time to move on.
0

cwb91 added 17:57 - May 29
I don't wish him good luck at all. He was a disgrace for 2 and half years. Spent the 3 years waiting for his massive contract to run down, before deciding "the grass is greener". Never got close to repaying his huge fee, with 2 and half years of abject performances.

I hope you come back next year to PR, battling relegation and receive a fairly hostile atmosphere. I've got no respect for him
0

Lightningboy added 17:58 - May 29
Boro's loss is our gain...total waste of space..won't be missed for 1 second.
0

Garv added 18:04 - May 29
Jas he got about 2 minutes of boos in one game, I don't think that is a valid excuse for poor performances.
0

BullardsMagicMullet added 18:26 - May 29
He was never going to sign a new deal, he was like a ghost in the midfield always chosing the easy option.

The championship Scholes, more like a poor man's Gerraint Williams.
0

s6blue added 18:26 - May 29
bye bye
0

Blue_Fred added 18:35 - May 29
"........when the opportunity to join Middlesbrough came in, I just couldn't turn it down."

shame you couldn't find a pair of balls big enough to be honest with your employer back in january when the oppotunity first came to light
0

Godmanchester_blue added 18:39 - May 29
Genuinely don't believe the move was about greed....i suspect he'll be on less now than he was with us....3 years rather than the 2 i suspect we offered...... and lets be honest i don't suppose he felt particularly loved here.
Overall a huge underperformer for what he cost us and i think that him moving on suited us as much as it did him.
0

Michael11 added 18:40 - May 29
Glad to see the back of him, terrible signing and a terrible player. I hope he rots up there! Only said he didn't know if he was leaving so Jewell would play him every week while he puts himself in the shop window.
0

floridaboy added 18:41 - May 29
Why is this news on an ITFC site. Who really cares where he goes. It was obvious he was going to Teeside as it is near his home and most probably where his new wife comes from.

Lets have news relevant to ITFC not news that the majority could not care less about!

0

TractorBoy666 added 18:49 - May 29
Jas, so i see you have excuses for leadboots? When you continuously moan about Jewell. Even when the good news about Hewitt come through that he was going to have a medical, you still had to put something in there about PJ's mistakes. So Leadboots was alright the first year, but final year got in the Team of the week? Thats not consistency.
0

ITFCforlife added 18:51 - May 29
bye. rubbish player he spent the last half of the season playing for a contract or a move to another team. at borough he will either be rubbish (like he was here) or fit in and be amazing for them
0


You need to login in order to post your comments

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© TWTD 1995-2024