Bristol City sign England goalkeeper David James
He might be 40 in two days, but David James’ move to Championship side Bristol City has still come as a big surprise.
It was expected that James would sign for Celtic, or at least stay in the Premier League. Instead, the former Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City and Portsmouth goalkeeper has dropped down a division to ensure that he plays week-in-week-out.
James replaced Rob Green as England’s first choice keeper during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and kept two clean sheets against Algeria and Slovenia, before conceding four goals against a rampant Germany side in the last 16.
Despite this, the veteran was still arguably England’s best player in Bloemfontein, and seemed destined for at least one more year of top-flight football, with the Sunderland and Fulham both interested in his services.
The England international played for Portsmouth between 2006 and 2010, during which he was part of the historic team which lifted the FA Cup in 2008, but left Fratton Park on a free transfer this summer after the cash-strapped club were relegated.
Now, after positive talks with Bristol City manager Steve Coppell and chairman Steve Lansdown, James has opted for a move to Ashton Gate on an initial one-year deal, with the possibility of an extension at the end of the season.
Fans of the Robins have expressed their delight at capturing England’s No. 1 goalkeeper, and hope that he will help them achieve their dream of becoming the first club from the South West to play Premier League football.
This is a dream which James is also determined to help make a reality: "I know all about the plans for a new stadium and desire to win promotion to the Premier League," the 39-year-old 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 a major coup for new City manager, Coppell, who has been quick to make an impact at Ashton Gate since arriving this summer. The club have also signed full-back Nicky Hunt from Bolton Wanderers and QPR centre-half Damion Stewart today, in a bid to sure up the defence.
Along with the signing of James, Coppell has quickly assembled a team capable of challenging for a play-off place at the very least.
And if the manager and James have their way, the Robins will be proudly flying high among English football’s top clubs next season.
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