Bullard off to Fulham

[slipperydave]

Wigan midfielder Jimmy Bullard will join Fulham at the end of the season in a £2.5m deal.

The 27-year-old has agreed a four-year contract and will move to Craven Cottage when the transfer window re-opens on 8 May.

Latics boss Paul Jewell said: "The timing is not the best but I understand Fulham wanted to move quickly and not lose their man.

"Jimmy is sad to go but he sees this as his next step in his career."

An initial bid by Fulham triggered a clause in Bullard's contract and Jewell added: "We had to have the clause as he would have otherwise been out of contract.

The Wigan boss revealed Bullard's agent had demanded the clause be a part of his contract, otherwise he would not have signed and would now be able to leave on a free.

More here:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/4954454.stm


Personally, I think this is a bad move for Bullard. I've been impressed from what i've seen of him playing for Wigan. A backward step?

[Jason]

A backward step?

Exactly what I thought, utterly confusing. He'll play first team however, that's all I can figure.

[rob]

what happened to transfer windows? how come they can make an offer now and agree contracts??

I guess jimmy thinks wigan's season was a bit of a one-off. or his agent's trying to get him a better wage...?

[gunnersfan]

what happened to transfer windows? how come they can make an offer now and agree contracts??

I guess jimmy thinks wigan's season was a bit of a one-off. or his agent's trying to get him a better wage...?

apparently fulham have found some sort of minimum fee release cluase in his contract.

[akibo]

Pointless move by Bullard, should be better-off with Wigan any time imo.

[pantlessjim]

Have Fulham won at home yet? As far as I know, Wigan is above Fulham in the table (could be wrong). Best of wishes to him, even though I think it is a dumb move.

[Yiannis]

I completely agree with you guys.Wigan,if i'm not mistaken,will play in the UEFA Cup next year and are a much better team than Fulham.The funny thing is that Bullard believes is a next step to his career.I can't really understand how a move from Wigan to Fulham will be benefitial for him.

[Ziegler1988]

Have Fulham won at home yet? As far as I know, Wigan is above Fulham in the table (could be wrong). Best of wishes to him, even though I think it is a dumb move.
Fulham only win at home and yes they are below Wigan (I think about 9th for Wigan and 15th for Fulham).
I completely agree with you guys.Wigan,if i'm not mistaken,will play in the UEFA Cup next year and are a much better team than Fulham.The funny thing is that Bullard believes is a next step to his career.I can't really understand how a move from Wigan to Fulham will be benefitial for him.

Wigan won't be in the UEFA Cup next season.
I think the move was primarily money driven for Bullard.

[fulhamfan]

Wigan midfielder Jimmy Bullard will join Fulham at the end of the season in a £2.5m deal.

The 27-year-old has agreed a four-year contract and will move to Craven Cottage when the transfer window re-opens on 8 May.

Latics boss Paul Jewell said: "The timing is not the best but I understand Fulham wanted to move quickly and not lose their man.

"Jimmy is sad to go but he sees this as his next step in his career."

An initial bid by Fulham triggered a clause in Bullard's contract and Jewell added: "We had to have the clause as he would have otherwise been out of contract.

The Wigan boss revealed Bullard's agent had demanded the clause be a part of his contract, otherwise he would not have signed and would now be able to leave on a free.

More here:http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/4954454.stm


Personally, I think this is a bad move for Bullard. I've been impressed from what i've seen of him playing for Wigan. A backward step?


This is a great move for both sides. Bullard brings great passion and confidence to our team. Al Fayad has promised Coleman a bigger budget this season and I do believe that we have underachieved over the past couple of seasons given the talent we have.
If we can fidn the cash to secure Bridge on a permanent basis as well we should be challenging for Europe next season. Wigan won't be.....

[Mobius]

I think he is moving due to family reasons (I've been to Wigan, and lived in London...and I know what I'd choose!) and I'm sure there was a very attractive wage packet on offer. ;)

Plus you never know with Fulham, 'cus they have huge potential financial backing. Coleman might've told Bullard they've got some good players in the frame, and that prospect might have enticed him.

He is a good player though, and thats quite a bargain. I always remove those minimum fee clauses on football manager, they are alot of trouble. :D

[yammy]

I think he is moving due to family reasons (I've been to Wigan, and lived in London...and I know what I'd choose!) and I'm sure there was a very attractive wage packet on offer. ;)

Plus you never know with Fulham, 'cus they have huge potential financial backing. Coleman might've told Bullard they've got some good players in the frame, and that prospect might have enticed him.

He is a good player though, and thats quite a bargain. I always remove those minimum fee clauses on football manager, they are alot of trouble. :D

I've been to Wigan too and I live in London so have to agree to a certain extent. None the less, Jewell pisses on Coleman for his tactical nous.

I can only think that Bullard is getting down there in the hopes of being friendly with the Chavs' players and maybe a final payday.

[lessavyfav]

bullard is from london, originally a hammer. just wanted to come home.

[Dogme]

Have Fulham won at home yet? As far as I know, Wigan is above Fulham in the table (could be wrong). Best of wishes to him, even though I think it is a dumb move.


Pretty much most teams are above Fulham at the moment. It's a money move, nothing else. He's obviously looking forward to his retirement.

[Yusuf]

I cant think of any good reason for leaving wigan. He is playing in first team isnt he? Look like a stupid move.

[loulad]

It's a decision made by Bullard because of the wage he's being offered. Jewell has said he really wants to keep Bullard but can't afford to compete with the wage offered from Fulham. I'm really dissapointed, I love Bullard and I think he's the key player in our side. Look at Fulham, they've had what, 5 attempts in the premiership in recent past seasons, look what they've achieved. Wigan in one season in the top flight have achieved a lot more than fulham in all their recent seasons. Jimmy is foolish imho forget about the money fulham will be getting for next season, the spirit at Wigan is too high at the moment. I hope this doesn't put a dent in our spirit, we still have a shot at europe yet. Anyway, Jewell has made ALMOST all perfect signings this season (can you guess who?) and I'm sure he'll find a brilliant replacement.

[daveywestham]

This is a great move for both sides. Bullard brings great passion and confidence to our team. Al Fayad has promised Coleman a bigger budget this season and I do believe that we have underachieved over the past couple of seasons given the talent we have.
If we can fidn the cash to secure Bridge on a permanent basis as well we should be challenging for Europe next season. Wigan won't be.....

You've lost me. Why will Wigan not be challenging for Europe next season and Fulham will be?? Wigan have proved this season that they can large it near the top whilst Fulham have failed to prove anything again. I think your boys & wigan's respective seasons are living proof that money isn't everything :rolleyes:

[Ralle]

I think he should have been one more season at Wigan because they have only been in Premier League one season now. If he want's some silverware he should have stayed. They had already made it to the final in the Carling Cup but they lost to a better team.

But Fulham is a more wealthy club than Wigan so he might get a better salary.

[pantlessjim]

[QUOTE=Ziegler1988]Fulham only win at home and yes they are below Wigan (I think about 9th for Wigan and 15th for Fulham).

Thanks for pointing that out. I ment to ask if they have won away from home yet. Fulham have won 1 away game this season, and currently sit in 13. Wigan are in 9th position in their first term in the top flight.

[tringo99]

Major steal for Fulham. They need this type of player and for 2.5 mil its a huge bargain.

[gunnersfan]

stoopid move also imo this,

wigan are surely only going to get better??
but fulham......

[kryptonum]

I always remove those minimum fee clauses on football manager, they are alot of trouble. :D

:)
That's what I always do

[Mobius]

stoopid move also imo this,

wigan are surely only going to get better??
but fulham......

Well yeah, but Fulham could easily become better than Wigan. They've got far more potential financial backing (if Al Fayed finally dips into his pocket, as seems to be the case) plus I'm sure players would choose London than up north.

[fulhamfan]

You've lost me. Why will Wigan not be challenging for Europe next season and Fulham will be?? Wigan have proved this season that they can large it near the top whilst Fulham have failed to prove anything again. I think your boys & wigan's respective seasons are living proof that money isn't everything :rolleyes:

talk to me at the end of next season. wigan will be in the relegation battle while we will be challenging for Europe. no way wigan can improve on this season's success.

[loulad]

talk to me at the end of next season. wigan will be in the relegation battle while we will be challenging for Europe. no way wigan can improve on this season's success.

How is that?! How can we not improve?! We've proven that with one season in the premiership we are a top-ten team (are fulham?) and worthy european challengers. This season everyone thought we were gonna be in relegation battle but we were far from it. Next season we will improve, not only will we be getting more spending money now, a lot more players who weren't interested in Wigan before will be now, just look at Bolton. Fulham are well established in the premiership, but as a bottom half team and after four or five seasons haven't improved at all. Talk to me at the end of next season. Wigan will be challenging Newcastle for that final european spot and Fulham will have had a nothing season, finishing 15th. Arse:mad:

[Alien]

Jason
Cool sig :)