Post by Grey on Jul 2, 2004 10:59:45 GMT -5
Friday July 02 2004
James Milner completed his move to Newcastle today but it was with a ``heavy heart'' that he left Leeds.
The 18-year-old signed a five-year deal which could be worth up to £5million to Leeds, and said he hoped the transfer would help safeguard the future of the club.
Milner only signed a new five-year contract at Elland Road last year and was due to renegotiate his salary next week.
However, it was clear to him that cash-starved Leeds needed the money his move would generate so he agreed to talk to Newcastle after the clubs decided a fee.
Milner's agent, Professional Footballers Association deputy chief executive Mick McGuire, told the Press Association: ``There has never been a more committed player to Leeds United than James and he will always be a huge fan of the club.
``He signed a five-year deal last year, he bought a house in the area and his mum and dad have already renewed their season tickets for the coming season.
``However, it is common knowledge that, as part of Leeds' survival plans, they need to generate income from transfers, so we appreciate their dilemma and understand their decision to let James go because the money this raises helps safeguard the future of the club.
``However, things have moved on since then and once Leeds agreed a fee with Newcastle and gave him permission to speak to Sir Bobby Robson, he felt that it was only fair and proper to talk to a club of that magnitude.
``James is excited about joining one of the premier clubs, who can offer him a major stage and European football.
``However, he leaves with a heavy heart and is glad that the money his move has generated will help Leeds in the longer term.''
Milner even forfeited some of his financial entitlements from Leeds in a bid to further help the club.
McGuire again dismissed stories that Milner had already been offered a 100% pay increase to stay at Leeds.
He added: ``It is important that I again stress that no discussions took place about a new contract for James, and I was surprised to read quotes from some very responsible people claiming they had offered to double his money.
``The reality is that talks were put on hold until Dave Richmond returned from holiday next week.''
Milner is one of the brightest young talents in English football. He is the second-youngest player to play in the Premiership behind Coventry's Gary McSheffrey, and at 16 and 309 days, is the second-youngest ever player behind Leeds legend Peter Lorimer to have played senior football for the club.
The Horsforth teenager broke Wayne Rooney's record as the youngest-ever Premiership scorer by four days, aged just aged 16 and 357 days when he secured a win for United at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in December 2002.
Aston Villa and Everton also expressed interest in Milner but Newcastle won the race for his signature.
Source : www.football365.com/news/premiership_news/story_117814.shtml
James Milner completed his move to Newcastle today but it was with a ``heavy heart'' that he left Leeds.
The 18-year-old signed a five-year deal which could be worth up to £5million to Leeds, and said he hoped the transfer would help safeguard the future of the club.
Milner only signed a new five-year contract at Elland Road last year and was due to renegotiate his salary next week.
However, it was clear to him that cash-starved Leeds needed the money his move would generate so he agreed to talk to Newcastle after the clubs decided a fee.
Milner's agent, Professional Footballers Association deputy chief executive Mick McGuire, told the Press Association: ``There has never been a more committed player to Leeds United than James and he will always be a huge fan of the club.
``He signed a five-year deal last year, he bought a house in the area and his mum and dad have already renewed their season tickets for the coming season.
``However, it is common knowledge that, as part of Leeds' survival plans, they need to generate income from transfers, so we appreciate their dilemma and understand their decision to let James go because the money this raises helps safeguard the future of the club.
``However, things have moved on since then and once Leeds agreed a fee with Newcastle and gave him permission to speak to Sir Bobby Robson, he felt that it was only fair and proper to talk to a club of that magnitude.
``James is excited about joining one of the premier clubs, who can offer him a major stage and European football.
``However, he leaves with a heavy heart and is glad that the money his move has generated will help Leeds in the longer term.''
Milner even forfeited some of his financial entitlements from Leeds in a bid to further help the club.
McGuire again dismissed stories that Milner had already been offered a 100% pay increase to stay at Leeds.
He added: ``It is important that I again stress that no discussions took place about a new contract for James, and I was surprised to read quotes from some very responsible people claiming they had offered to double his money.
``The reality is that talks were put on hold until Dave Richmond returned from holiday next week.''
Milner is one of the brightest young talents in English football. He is the second-youngest player to play in the Premiership behind Coventry's Gary McSheffrey, and at 16 and 309 days, is the second-youngest ever player behind Leeds legend Peter Lorimer to have played senior football for the club.
The Horsforth teenager broke Wayne Rooney's record as the youngest-ever Premiership scorer by four days, aged just aged 16 and 357 days when he secured a win for United at Sunderland's Stadium of Light in December 2002.
Aston Villa and Everton also expressed interest in Milner but Newcastle won the race for his signature.
Source : www.football365.com/news/premiership_news/story_117814.shtml
