Transfer news – James spurns Premier offers to join Bristol City
Published:Bristol City have pulled off what may well be the signing of the summer, having landed England’s World Cup goalkeeper David James on a one-year contract.
James had attracted interested from Sunderland, Fulham and Celtic, but the prospect of first-team football and being close to his family gave Bristol City the edge.
The 39-year-old has an option of extending his contract by a further 12 months, but in terms of the immediate future, his arrival will be a huge boost to City’s promotion hopes.
The West Country club are 9/2 to win promotion this season, and with Steve Coppell at the helm, Bristol City could be a force.
Coppell has guided both Crystal Palace and Reading to the Premier League, and if he can attract more players of James’s ilk to Ashton Gate, promotion could again be on the cards.
Another goalkeeper on the move is Wales international Boaz Myhill, who has joined West Brom in a £1.5m deal from Hull.
The 27-year-old had represented Hull in all four divisions, and his departure will ease the Humberside club’s debt worries.
Hull are 11/2 to be promoted to the Premier League, but their rebuilding process is proving to be a slow and somewhat painful process.
With the club’s debts around £25m, former Tigers captain George Boateng is another who has been forced to leave, having joined Greek side Skoda Xanthi on a free transfer.
With big earners such as Jimmy Bullard still on the wage bill at the KC Stadium, however, Hull still have much clearing to do before their bank balance will make easy reading.
Who do you think will be challenging at the top of the Championship this season? Norwich are 5/1 to claim a second successive promotion. See the full Championship 2010/11 Betting Odds market.
