Berra Signs for Town
Saturday, 20th Jul 2013 18:01

Boss Mick McCarthy has confirmed that former Wolves central defender Christophe Berra has joined the Blues on a two-year deal. Berra, who we understand put pen to paper on his contract on Friday evening, was with the Town squad during today’s 1-0 victory at Barnet.

McCarthy confirmed that after a couple of weeks of speculation the deal was done: “We’ve signed him. I’m delighted with that one it’s a fantastic signing.

"He helped get us promoted at Wolves and helped keep us in the league for two seasons and I’m amazed actually that it’s gone so long and he hasn’t got a club. I’m delighted, it’s terrific for us.”

The Blues boss confirmed that although Titus Bramble is welcome to continue training at Playford Road, he won’t be taking things any further: “Titus had other options and like all of us, we’re all spinning plates a little bit. He’s doing it himself. I explained to him in the week that I can’t just wait indefinitely to sign him and he understood that.

“I also understood if he disappeared and wanted to sign for somebody else. It’s fairly uncomplicated - I’ve signed Christophe and it ain’t happening.

McCarthy has also ended his interest in Tottenham’s South African centre-half Bongani Khumalo, who played at Crawley and Gillingham: “He was terrific but he’s a loan player and I’ve signed a really good, I’d say top Championship centre-half that’s our player, an Ipswich player for two years. It’s a complete and utter no-brainer to do that as opposed to have a player on loan.

“I was really sorry for Bongani, I had to apologise to him, but as I explained to him, if Stoke or West Brom had come in for him he would have done one because he’d have had a better deal.

“And it is for us and I have to look after the club. Loan deals with a call-back clause in January are not for me and I know Christophe, he’s terrific.”

Ex-Arsenal youngster Conor Henderson is understood to be training with the Blues in the week to come but McCarthy says no deal is yet done to sign the midfielder: “We spoke to him in the summer and we’ll see whether that happens.”

The Town boss said he has had no interest in any members of his squad.

Photo: Action Images

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martleshamitfc added 18:04 - Jul 20 fantastic news, welcome Christophe
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billlm added 18:04 - Jul 20 good I just wrote id rather have him than bramble, a player not a hoofer, welcome I feel we are getting very strong settled team
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earlsgreenblue added 18:05 - Jul 20 Welcome Christophe, sure you will do well here, season ahead looking brighter & brighter, cannot wait forvit to start. Well done, MM.
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JLITFC added 18:06 - Jul 20 Khumalo deal isn't happening as Spurs wanted a recall clause. This is a great signing.
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tcannITFC added 18:06 - Jul 20 Brilliant! Nice to have some competition for Chambers and Smith in centre back. Welcome Christophe!
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Sindre94 added 18:06 - Jul 20 Fantastic :) welcome! Disappointed we Wont bring Bramble in. IN MICK WE TRUST
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bbkingsumday added 18:06 - Jul 20 Great news! Welcome to ITFC Christophe.
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truckertractorboy added 18:06 - Jul 20 Feel good about him pity bout titus but thats life
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 18:06 - Jul 20 Yeehaaaaaaaa!
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bluemikey100 added 18:07 - Jul 20 berra gerken but NO bramble still gonna be healthy team to support welcome abord berra
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Incublue added 18:07 - Jul 20 We're doomed after 2 years, have no players left! ;) Great signing!...welcome abroad the promotion drive
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Keaneish added 18:09 - Jul 20 Outstanding!! Could we have asked for a better transfer window?
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SouperJim added 18:09 - Jul 20 Merlin is magic
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Pettitt10 added 18:11 - Jul 20 What a signing! Things are looking brighter and brighter for the town!
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Farmers_Union added 18:12 - Jul 20 Amazeballs... Very exciting season ahead!!
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Robbie12345 added 18:12 - Jul 20 Excited about the 'More later' paragraph!! Maybe Doherty signing? Or something else?
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Mark added 18:13 - Jul 20

Excellent news, this pre-season is getting better and better!

It's refreshing too to read that we will NOT be signing a loan player because of a recall clause. We can't operate at the whim of parent clubs any more, and I am so pleased we have moved away from this policy. Who knows, Spurs may even pay-off Khumalo so perhaps we can later pick him up on a free transfer (not that we have room for him after the new signings of late).

BillBlue added 18:13 - Jul 20

We have so many new signings I am almost losing track and all of them appear to be of excellent quality with Christophe Berra not being the least. Well done MM and all your team. I am looking forward to the game against Colchester because I feel they will give us a real test and we shall have to play with passion and desire and, according to the reports I have read, improve on our performance of today. I am looking forward to the new season and no longer feeling aphrehensive. COYB

Michael11 added 18:16 - Jul 20 Good signing. Suppose our central defence would be between Chambers, Smith and Berra with Veseli as 4th choice cover if needed. Hewitt/Veseli at right back and Cresswell/Mings left. Very happy with that and not one of them is a loan deal.
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Tractamatt added 18:17 - Jul 20 I'm worried still no loans or "EXPERIENCED" ex prem stars, I mean what sort of team will we have next season;)
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jas0999 added 18:28 - Jul 20 Brilliant news. However, can see Berra starting - clearly rated by MM. Agree with Mick re Bramble (clearly Titus is rightly considering all options) and also wanting permanent players over loans - PJ take note if you ever get another job!!
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thebeat added 18:29 - Jul 20 Mick u are a classy fellow, love the way he doesnt want loan players, i think we're done now, cant see any more coming as we now have cover in every position. Roll on August 3rd
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