Craig Gordon became the most expensive goalkeeper in British football on Wednesday when he was transferred from Hearts to Sunderland for a fee that could eventually rise to nine million pounds. "I'm delighted that we've managed to sign Craig," Sunderland manager Roy Keane told the Premier League club's Web site (www.safc.com).
"He's a top goalkeeper and he'll be a massive asset for us over the next few years."
The Scotland number one is Sunderland's seventh signing of the close season after agreeing a five-year deal, having opted to join the Wearside club ahead of Aston Villa.
The deal for the 24-year-old, capped 23 times by his country, surpasses the 7.8 million pounds Manchester United spent on Frenchman Fabien Barthez in 2000.
It also puts in the shade the six million pound fees that English keepers Chris Kirkland and Richard Wright both attracted earlier this decade, when they joined Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
Gordon, who made 139 league appearances for Edinburgh side Hearts, has performed impressively on the international stage, notably when his heroics helped Scotland earn a 1-0 win over France [Images] in a Euro 2008 [Images] qualifier last year.
He was voted the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year in 2005/06.
Sunderland's close-season spending has now risen above the 25 million pound mark as Keane looks to establish the promoted club in the top flight.
© Copyright 2007 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
|
Advertisement
Email this Article 
Print this Article