Bristol City capture David James
Football League Championship outfit Bristol City FC have signed goalkeeper David James. The England international has passed a medical and signed a one-year contract, with the option of extending the deal for a second season.
The former Liverpool, Aston Villa, and West Ham United player, who turns 40 years-old on Sunday, left Portsmouth during the close season after he failed to commit his future to them.
James, who lives within driving distance of Bristol, said that he made the decision for both footballing and family reasons. He told the club’s official website: "I've had offers to stay in the Premier League but it is more important that I play football for the right club and be a family man. It's for the family initially. I recently got married and I'm living down in Devon. I've played against Bristol City a few times, namely in the FA Cup a couple of years ago. The area I'm not terribly familiar with but I've been around a number of times and it's a wonderful city.”
Promotion ambition
The goalkeeper told of his ambition to see his new club promoted to the English Premier League (EPL), saying: "A top-flight team from the South West is overdue. I had a long conversation with the chairman Steve Lansdown and I liked what he said about the club and his ambition. I know all about the plans for a new stadium and desire to win promotion to the Premier League."
James had been linked with moves to EPL outfits Fulham FC and Sunderland FC, and had also been set to hold talks with Scottish Premier League (SPL) team Celtic FC. However, he was impressed with both the set up and the promotion aspirations of City. He said: "The club is ambitious and that's what I am. The South West has not had a club in the Premier League and that needs to change. It's not about money; I've had better offers financially elsewhere. It's about doing what I need to do as an individual and a player. I wanted a home environment and other options wouldn't satisfy that. This is a club that wants to go places and has the financial backing and a nice sense of security which has been lacking at other football clubs recently.”
Lansdown spoke of his delight at securing the player’s services and believes James can play an important role in helping the club attain promotion. He said: "My ambition is for this football club to play at the highest level - the Premier League - and in the best surroundings, hence the work on the training ground and new stadium. We need good quality players to make that happen and that's why I'm thrilled that David has agreed to come on board."
Cup winner
James began his career with Watford FC after progressing through the club’s youth ranks. He made 89 appearances for the club before moving to EPL club Liverpool in 1992. At Anfield, he played 216 times in seven seasons, earning a League Football Cup medal in that time.
James made 138 appearances for Portsmouth, and won the FA Cup with the club in 2008. This year, he became the oldest goalkeeper to play in an FA Cup final at the age of 39. It was reported that he had wanted to be their player-manager. However, Steve Cotterill was named boss of the first-team squad and the Fratton Park club decided to withdraw the offer of a new contract they made to James in May.
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