http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/BreakingNewsDetail/0,,10309~761456,00.html REDS boss Andy Ritchie will strengthen his squad within hours of the transfer window opening with a sensational swoop to beat off stiff competition for Leicester City striker Tommy Wright. Tommy has agreed a deal keeping him at Oakwell until the summer of 2008 and has been at the club today to complete the relevant paperwork with a view to the formalities being completed as soon as the transfer window opens on January 1, 2006. The hitman has spent most of the 2005/2006 campaign on loan at Blackpool and hit six goals in 14 appearances for the struggling Seasiders. Born in Leicester, the 21-year-old joined his hometown club as a youngster and has turned out 24 times for The Foxes, mainly as a substitute, since making his debut in the Premier League clash with Leeds United back in March 2002. He enjoyed two successful spells on loan at Brentford during the 2003/2004 campaign, netting three goals in 25 first team appearances for the Bees. Wright moved to Blackpool in August 2005 in a deal up to the start of 2006. He played and scored against the Reds at Oakwell in October 2005 and his battle with Paul Reid during that game left the Barnsley skipper with five stitches in a head wound and facing four weeks on the sidelined with a hamstring injury. He also appeared as a second half substitute for Leicester City in a pre-season friendly at Oakwell back in July 2004. Barnsley FC have agreed an fee with Leicester City Football Club which could rise to to £50,000, and the deal is set to be completed when the transfer window opens this weekend with a view to Wright making his Reds bow at Chesterfield on January 2, 2006, subject to the paperwork being completed and finalised at the Football League and Football Association's registrations departments on Sunday (January 1, 2005). At least three other League One teams had expressed an interest in securing the services of the striker, who has represented England at U18, U19 and U20 levels.
"apparently" tall, strong, quick and averaged just under a goal every 2 games for a struggling side. dunt sound 2 shabby, plus he's a young un.
Dunt know much about him, but Everyone agreed we needed a striker and now we've got one. I trust Ritchie to get the right man. Let's hope he can do the business and let's hope Nardiello can rediscover his form so we've got four strikers all firing. After reading what Ritchie said about Dean Gordon in the Chronicle I think that will be the last of the signings and to be fair we've now got cover for all positions.
RE: Dunt know much about him, but That we would not be signing him. Ritchie said he understood the financial constraints he had to work under. Reading between the lines it sounded like he was saying it was either Dean Gordon or someone else. Looks like we've gone for the someone else option with Wright, or two someone elses if you include Richards extending his contract. I think Ritchie made the right decision.
