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Wickham Sold on Bruce's Ambition
Wickham Sold on Bruce's Ambition
Wednesday, 29th Jun 2011 17:41

Exiting striker Connor Wickham says Sunderland manager Steve Bruce’s ambitions for the Black Cats sold him on his switch to the North-East. Wickham signed a four-year contract on Wearside earlier today, the clubs having agreed an initial fee of £8.1 million rising beyond £12 million via appearance and achievement clauses, while the Blues will get a percentage of any profit the Black Cats make if and when they sell the 18-year-old.

Wickham said: "It's really exciting for me. Once the fee was agreed and I met with the manager, he told me all about the club's ambitions and I was sold. Everything's done and dusted, so I'm looking forward to getting going.

"I'm confident in myself and my ability. I know what I can do and am capable of. I know I am coming to a big club and hopefully I can continue doing what I have been at Ipswich.

"The last couple of years have been enjoyable for me. To break into the team at Ipswich, do what I did and get recognised so young was good for me.

"I just got my head and down and played my football, rather than letting myself get distracted by anything off the pitch."

The England U21 international says he’s pleased to have got the deal sorted: "I've never felt pressured or intimidated by matters off the pitch but I'm relieved to have everything done.

"Now I'm looking forward to getting back into training, getting back into football and meeting the lads. I know what I can do. I'll work hard, do the best I can and get my head down."

With the likes of former Town loanee Jack Colback in the Sunderland squad, Wickham is confident he’ll quickly get used to life on Wearside: "I've got the right people around me to help me out and keep my feet on the floor.

"I think I will settle quite easily up here; I'm looking forward to getting to know the people, the area and the club."

Black Cats manager Bruce says he's pleased to get his man: "A number of top sides have been chasing Connor for some time now, so naturally we are absolutely delighted he has chosen to come to Sunderland.

"He's still very young, but at 6ft 3in, he's a physical presence. With his height and style of play, he will offer us a threat in front of goal and complement our existing strikers.

"We have been watching him for a while now and he is improving and developing all the time. He's a great prospect and I'm sure our supporters will love watching him play."

Meanwhile, it's reported that Wickham's contract at Sunderland includes a clause which would allow him to move on should one of the bigger Premier League clubs offer a fee at a set level in a year's time if the Black Cats haven't gained a European place.

Prior to this week's move, Wickham had been understood to favour a switch to Liverpool, the club he supported as a boy.

Elsewhere, Dagenham and Redbridge winger Danny Green, a reported Town target earlier in the summer, has completed his move to Charlton Athletic.


Photo: Action Images



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Drew added 17:52 - Jun 29
So where's the "I would like to thank Ipswich for everything they've done for me" speech?
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theblueginger added 17:56 - Jun 29
Lets face it, he joined s'land so he can play every week, and then join liverpool in 2-3 years time for 30 million, which is a good thing.
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legoman added 17:59 - Jun 29
Ask Keano Drew!
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Drew added 18:01 - Jun 29
legoman added 17:59 - Jun 29
Ask Keano Drew!

I would, but I have a massive urge to punch him.
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Loyal_S added 18:02 - Jun 29
"I just got my head and down .........Tiny mistake there Phil lol
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GeorgiDoundarov added 18:02 - Jun 29
Drew, whether or not he will say it doesn't matter. It is whether he feels that way. Everybody is usually saying that kind of "fluff" but I bet only 10% really believe in it. And I am sure CW do appreciate what ITFC did to help him become what he became. This is his first team he ever played for so he will remember it till the rest of his life I am sure!
Not so sure about the "ambition of Sunderland" thing though. I don't believe Bruce told him Sunderland are going to be champions next season...
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rosseden added 18:09 - Jun 29
what he means is......

'he told me all about the club's ambitions, the money there were going to pay me, and I was sold'

there is NO sentiment in football now, every player / manager / kid has a price..... after all, they just about all have an agent..... and agents are just there for one thing, to increase peoples money.......
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Mark added 18:18 - Jun 29
Wickham has agreed anoher escape clause?! Sounds like he is at Sunderland for the long term then.

This deal is a win-win for us:

- If Wickham flops then we have pocketed £8.1M for an unproven youngster;
- If Wickham succeeds we could get another £3.9M plus a slice of a whopping transfer fee if he moves onto a big club.

Good deal!

Now let's give Jewell the money to spend please...
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pazelle added 18:19 - Jun 29
Wickham sold on Ipswich's lack of ambition!
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jas0999 added 18:20 - Jun 29
We must move on now. Shame the earlier posters fail to realise that it was actually RK who gave CW his chance at ITFC and brought him through the system. True, Roy did very little else for the club, but credit where it is due.

I don't blame CW for leaving - maybe he will now be played as a striker. I wish him well.
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BlueBoots added 18:27 - Jun 29
""Wickham's contract at Sunderland includes a clause which would allow him to move on should one of the bigger Premier League clubs offer a fee at a set level in a year's time if the Black Cats haven't gained a European place.""

Nice one - so we'll get more cash next summer when he moves to Liverpool for double what Sunderland paid...
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brogansnose added 18:31 - Jun 29
Good luck Connor, but sold on Bruce's ambition...pleeeeease! Like the come and get me fee if we don't get into Europe clause that will endear you to the Mackem's.
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icetruckiller added 18:31 - Jun 29
Sold on the look of his new wage, like the rest of us would.
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Mungo added 18:46 - Jun 29
Best wishes for the future Connor! Hopefully you will make the same sort of impact up there that Darren Bent did!

If used sensibly, the funds raised from this deal will enable PJ to bring in 3 or 4 good championship level players to make a better team...
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Barhamblue added 19:08 - Jun 29
jas0999 sorry to correct you but it was Jim who gave CW his first chance. Keane should have played him more but didn't!
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Warkys_Tash added 19:20 - Jun 29
Is that the same 'ambition' that led to the sale of Darren Bent & now Jordan Henderson - Sunderlands up and coming star - sounds like old Brucey gave him a load of flannel to me - or was it the massive pay rise??
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robdaful added 19:22 - Jun 29
Sunderland have ambition?
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jas0999 added 19:49 - Jun 29
Barhamblue - no, I'm sorry it was Roy who gave Wickham his major chance and allowed him to break through into the team. CW was a regular during Roy's time at the club and unless I am mistaken until then was almost unheard of and not worth £8M. I personally believe it's important to not over play young players and personally think Roy did right by Wickham. The earlier posts slating Roy, were in my opinion wide of the mark on this occasion. In contrast, PJ's decision to play him wide left leaved a lot to be desired!
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MickMillsTash added 19:58 - Jun 29
Wickham meant' i know that Sunderland is a hole and the team is rubbish but I will only be here for 18 months and the signing on fee is good' - he contiued 'with any luck I'll be living in London after all this nonsense and will get to see the sun again'

How much of this 8 Mill will we get now? and of this 8 Mill how much will go to Wickham and his agent (he did not ask for a move so I guess there could be some sort of loyalty bonus payment etc)
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John added 20:29 - Jun 29
Sorry jas0999 think you're wide of the mark. CW stated he wasn't getting on with RK and until PJ arrived he hadn't scored a goal in 2010-11. Under PJ he got more time on the pitch and most of his goals came from the time he was playing out wide. I think we should be grateful to PJ as the 6 months CW had under his wing probably added a couple of million to the fee. I'd imagine McCarthy was a help to CW as well being an ex- striker himself.
Fair play to SC as well on this he got CW signed to an extended contract which improved our bargaining position, and I'm not an SC fan. Very sad to see CW go but, I think, it was inevitable. Got top dollar for him as no other clubs were prepared to match or exceed S'Land bid when it became common knowledge.
It seems CW has some shrewd people watching out for him as the sell-on clause in his S'land contract gives him the whip hand in any negotiations if and when he is a success with them.
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Amberjadewickham added 21:02 - Jun 29
Good luck connor wickham i will always love you bbz xx
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h32 added 21:44 - Jun 29
jason0999 - you're absolutely right, and as much of a critic of RK as I was, I genuinely believe he did right by Wickham.
The real disappointment for me, is we never really saw Wickham play as an out and out Striker - being continuously played out of position by PJ for most of the time.
We will never know what he could have done beside someone like Chopra.

My jury is still very much out on Mr Jewell - especially after this enthralling close season of 'signings' ........... laugh now please.
Genuinely very concerned for the season ahead - with the new season upon us, we still need several players, and indeed quality in many positions, to avoid becoming a joke.

Am I surprised ? - no not in the least, in fact I very much expected it to be just as it is.
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Lightningboy added 21:47 - Jun 29
Dumb move but hey,I wouldn't mind earning what he's earning.

I'm fairly happy with our pay-day...let's go shopping.
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Ipswich24 added 21:50 - Jun 29
Sunderland have no ambition they are just like a bank trying to make a lot of interest on the next sale of Connor Wickham, he is no better off there than would be here.
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ITFCMonk added 22:54 - Jun 29
A very sad day personally.. was the right decision though in the end though i suppose
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