Johnson finally moves

[HOOPBHOY ' 67]

£13m Johnson finally checks in at Craven Cottage

• Sachin Nakrani , The Guardian,
• Friday August 8 2008
• Article history

Andrew Johnson expressed relief yesterday after finally completing his £13m move from Everton to Fulham. Negotiations had been ongoing for some time but at one point appeared to break down altogether after the London club expressed concerns about the forward's fitness.
"I am glad that I can now concentrate on playing for Fulham," he said. "This is a club with a lot of history and ambition. I'm now just looking forward to getting into the dressing room with the lads and to start training as soon as possible."

Johnson has signed a four-year deal, believed to be worth £45,000 a week, and becomes Fulham's 11th signing of the summer. None of the previous 10 deals came as close to collapsing, however.
Everton accepted an offer for the 27-year-old 12 days ago only for Fulham to ask for the deal to be restructured after his medical revealed an old ankle injury. The Merseysiders refused and it appeared the England player would remain at the club he signed for in May 2006, following a four-year spell at Crystal Palace.

On Monday the deal was resurrected and Fulham have now agreed to pay an initial £10.5m in two instalments, rising to an appearance-related £13m and breaking their transfer record, the £11.5m spent on Steve Marlet in 2001. Johnson is expected to feature in Fulham's final pre-season friendly tomorrow, when Torino are the visitors to Craven Cottage. There will be high hopes among the fans over a player who has scored 107 goals since 2002.

Fulham scored only 38 league goals last year in what was their worst season since promotion in 2001 - 17th and avoiding relegation only thanks to a final-day win at Portsmouth. "I am determined to give 100% in every game," added Johnson who is expected to partner another new signing, Bobby Zamora.

Everton are now expected to move again for the Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho, who had been put out of their range when Sporting Lisbon asked £20m for the player who was a regular for his country during Euro 2008.

[celticbhoy88]

Dont think hes worth anywere near 13m

[HOOPBHOY ' 67]

Originally Posted by celticbhoy88

Dont think hes worth anywere near 13m

me neither mate , thats the Epl for you

[hoopymo]

he is worth £4 million

[KK-Bhoy]

Crouch at £10m is much the better deal. How much did Defoe cost? Not as much as Johnson, that's for sure - plus he's by far the better striker.

[DanTheMan]

He only scored lots of goals in the EPL with Palace because half of them were penalties. Overrated player that is worth no more than £5m.

[HOOPBHOY ' 67]

Originally Posted by TheKilkennyBhoy

Crouch at £10m is much the better deal. How much did Defoe cost? Not as much as Johnson, that's for sure - plus he's by far the better striker.

think Defoe was around the 9m mark and is , as you say a far better striker

[Rebel Tim]

£13 mill ouch.

[Diegan]

He's quick and he works hard, but he doesn't really do anything notable. Bad deal for Fulham I think. I don't think he'll be able to replace McBride, if that's what they are trying to do.

[ede]

Another over-rated and over-priced ENGLISH player. Simply cos he got a few caps for England they have this ability to automatically add 10 mil to his price. He may be quite quick, but not that much more. There are millions of strikers in the world who are faster and more hard working than Johnson and proably at a small fraction of that price.

[Hammer]

This makes Darren Bent look cheap as he actually scores goals. Way, way overpriced and i wouldn't have him in my team over Hesselink or Skippy.

[celticdaftdan]

Fulham just above relegation last season spend 13 million on one player just shows how much money the lesser clubs get.

[Totti]

Aye and I seem to remember that half of the penalties that he won for Crystal Palace were from him going to ground easily lol.. I remember a few managers accusing him of that.

[hoopymo]

lol he is gash

[david_trezeguet]

crazy money for him