Kirkland To Sign For Wigan

[RafaShanks]

Liverpool's out of favour keeper Chris Kirkland is due to sign for Wigan Athletic tomorrow. The Latics have been chasing the injury jinxed star all summer, but Rafa Benitez was not keen on agreeing to another loan deal for a player he feels can command a transfer fee. Benitez told the player at the end of last season that he could leave the club, but it had to be a permanent transfer as he would not be allowed to go out on loan again.

 

 

West Brom had been keen to keep the player at the Hawthorns, but their relegation ended those hopes. Everton were also understood to be tracking him, but instead brought in Manchester United's Tim Howard on loan. That left Wigan as the front runners, but Paul Jewell did not want to splash out on a player who has major question marks about his fitness.

 

Negotiations have been going on for some time, and TLW understands a compromise has now been reached and Kirkland will join Wigan tomorrow, initially on loan we believe, with a permanent deal in place for January 1.

 

TLW

 

Shame we couldn't get any money for him. Let's hope he stays fit till January. Another one off the wage bill.

Edited July 9, 2006 by RafaShanks

[floyd]

What's the bets, that when he signs, he snaps his fingers when he puts pen to the paper. The biro will remain in one piece

Edited July 9, 2006 by floyd

[Benitez]

hardly 'out of favour', he hasn't been fit enough to be in favour sadly.

 

Anyway, hope he can stay fit until January at least! And do well for Wigan

[Benzo-13]

Grand, means more money for players that are useful...

[kop205]

Grand, means more money for players that are useful...

 

But only in the sense that we are saving on his wages unfortunately (if it is definite that we won't be getting a fee). Ultimately, if that is the case, we are taking a 5m loss on him but I think that has been inevitable for a couple of years really as his injury record was always likely to disuade anyone from paying a fee.

[David Hodgson]

Liverpool's out of favour keeper Chris Kirkland is due to sign for Wigan Athletic tomorrow. The Latics have been chasing the injury jinxed star all summer, but Rafa Benitez was not keen on agreeing to another loan deal for a player he feels can command a transfer fee. Benitez told the player at the end of last season that he could leave the club, but it had to be a permanent transfer as he would not be allowed to go out on loan again.

West Brom had been keen to keep the player at the Hawthorns, but their relegation ended those hopes. Everton were also understood to be tracking him, but instead brought in Manchester United's Tim Howard on loan. That left Wigan as the front runners, but Paul Jewell did not want to splash out on a player who has major question marks about his fitness.

 

Negotiations have been going on for some time, and TLW understands a compromise has now been reached and Kirkland will join Wigan tomorrow, initially on loan we believe, with a permanent deal in place for January 1.

 

TLW

 

Shame we couldn't get any money for him. Let's hope he stays fit till January. Another one off the wage bill.

 

Great deal by Parry, if true.

[Guest Jack Bauer]

Another relic of Geds era gone thankfully.

[G Richards]

When he was at Coventry I thought it was 100% certain he would go on to become one of the best keepers in the game. Kirkland played one game against us where he stopped it from being 10-0. I was really pleased we signed him. I thought he was much better than Robinson (granted not hard) and the England spot would be his soon enough.

 

Sadly it has all gone wrong for Capt Kirk. Everyone talks about his terrible injury record, and it has really held him back.

 

But I'd like to make another point. When Kirkland was fit and playing in goal for us he looked jittery and laboured in his movement. I saw nothing of the youngster who played for Coventry.

 

A parting of the ways is best for all concerned. Hopefully he can make something of himself elsewhere, but Reina is better, Dudek is better, and Carson (by all accounts) looks to be better. So goodbye Capt Kirk I'm afraid.

Edited July 9, 2006 by G Richards

[Elisha_Scott]

Kirkland and Heskey, I think Wigan are going to struggle next season. Ellington, Emerson Boyce and Denny Landzaat are also on their shopping list apparently. Not very good is it?

[stressederic]

Kirkland and Heskey, I think Wigan are going to struggle next season. Ellington, Emerson Boyce and Denny Landzaat are also on their shopping list apparently. Not very good is it?

 

Not how I'd spend my cash I agree.

[Benzo-13]

Kirkland and Heskey, I think Wigan are going to struggle next season. Ellington, Emerson Boyce and Denny Landzaat are also on their shopping list apparently. Not very good is it?

 

Need more pace..

 

They all seem like Aston Villa type signings..

[Guest Anders Honoré]

Wrap him in cotton wool and keep him inside on windy days and the deal should be safe.

[Will]

This happened yet then?

[Guest PaulMcC]

Meant to happen today. Was in Mancheter Evening News last night. http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/spo...oin_latics.html

[Boca]

KIRKLAND NEAR TO WIGAN SWITCH

By Mark Buckingham - Created on 11 Jul 2006

 

 

 

Wigan Athletic have agreed a deal to sign Liverpool goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.

 

The England hopeful is training with The Latics on Tuesday as the finishing touches are put to his switch to The JJB Stadium.

 

Kirkland is due to join up with Paul Jewell's men on an initial six-month loan deal, with a view to a permanent transfer.

 

It is expected that the 25-year-old will be confirmed as a Wigan player after the close of Tuesday's training session.

 

The imposing keeper has been a long-standing target for Jewell, who is keen to bring in competition for Mike Pollitt and John Filan.

 

He spent last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion, but injury restricted Kirkland to just 10 Premiership appearances.

 

Kirkland was signed by Liverpool from Coventry City for £6 million five years ago, but has made just 45 appearances for the FA Cup winners.

 

The arrival of Jose Reina last summer signalled the likely end for Kirkland's Anfield career, with Jerzy Dudek and Scott Carson also in the Liverpool ranks.

 

A move to ambitious Wigan is now being finalised and Kirkland will hope the deal resurrects his chances of breaking into the England squad

 

Sky sports

[Alonso]

It'll be interesting to see how much he eventually signs for. Will a fee be agreed now or on performance/appearance based criteria? Hopefully something around £2-3m would be nice as he's still young and got good potential providing he can stay fit!!

[Guest Anders Honoré]

good move for wigan if he stays fit. keeper is definitely their weakest position.

[Suth]

good move for wigan if he stays fit. keeper is definitely their weakest position.

 

it is an amazing deal that he is moving to another premiership club, let alone that we could actually get a fee for him. Even when we was fit and playing he looked clumsy and erratic in my opinion.

[McBain]

Official

 

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N...060711-1421.htm

 

Just stay fit ya bastid