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16/12/99 KILBANE SIGNS FOR £2.5 MILLION

Sunderlands new,£2.5 million winger.

KILBANE MAKES SUNDERLAND SWITCH

Sunderland have confirmed that they have completed the £2.5million signing of West Bromwich Albion winger Kevin Kilbane.
The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international has accepted a four-and-a-half-year deal which will keep him at the Stadium of Light until 2004.
Known primarily as a winger, Kilbane is something of a dead-ball specialist and has chipped in with his fair share of goals for the Baggies.
The Preston-born player is 6ft tall and weighs in at 12st 10lbs, giving him a physical presence which makes him a real handful for defenders.
He trained with his new team-mates today before undergoing a medical, and the transfer finally went through this evening.
Commenting on the deal, which has been in the pipeline for several days, Sunderland boss Peter Reid said: "He's a quality player who put in exceptional performances for the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs."
Kilbane, who began his career as a trainee at Preston North End, added: "The club is going places and is on fire at the moment. It is a massive club and I'm really looking forward to playing here."
The deal brings an end a transfer merry-go-round as a series of clubs chased the young Irishman's signature.
Both Fulham and Nottingham Forest were said to have had bids for the player turned down, and Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Manchester United have reportedly followed his progress with interest in recent years.
Kilbane would have been out of contract at the Hawthorns at the end of next season, but it became clear in recent weeks that he was unlikely to commit himself to the Midlands club once again.
His arrival at the Stadium of Light presents Reid with a series of interesting choices.
Swedish international Stefan Schwarz has been playing wide on the left after switching roles with Gavin McCann, and both men have made themselves fixtures in a side which currently sits fourth in the Premiership.
But the signing of Kilbane seems to have confirmed the eventual departure of Scottish international Allan Johnston.
Johnston has not played for the Wearsiders all season after being transfer-listed along with Michael Bridges and Lee Clark for refusing to commit himself to a new deal last summer.
The winger, who has just returned from a two-month loan spell at Birmingham City, is out of contract at the end of the season and available on a free under the Bosman ruling. We now have 15 Irish players on our books (including North and South)
Reid's no-nonsense approach initially caused one or two raised eyebrows, but the recruitment of Schwarz, Steve Bould, and later French midfielder Eric Roy, and a blistering start to their first season back in the top flight soon calmed any fears.
The former Everton and England midfielder has always maintained that he wanted to strengthen his squad but has refused to be held to ransom.
He has made something of a habit of picking up quality players at knockdown prices, although the £2.5million he has paid for Kilbane equals the former club record fee Newcastle received for Clark, which has since been eclipsed by Schwarz's £4million price tag.
The Irishman's first opportunity to sample the atmosphere at the Stadium of Light in a Sunderland shirt could come on Saturday when his new side takes on Southampton

KILBANES TWIST OF FATE

KEVIN Kilbane today revealed the bizarre set of circumstances which led to him making the £2.5 million switch from West Brom to Sunderland this week.
Kilbane was all set to play for the Baggies at Grimsby on Tuesday night and the winger was waiting to hear the team from boss Brian Little when he was told to put his track suit back on because he was on his way to Sunderland.
The 22-year-old packed his bags, watched the first half at Grimsby, then raced off to Wearside to meet Peter Reid and complete the deal.
"It all happened very quickly," said the Republic of Ireland international. "One minute I was expecting to play for West Brom and the next I was on my way to Sunderland.
"It's all been a bit hectic really. I still haven't had time to go home .... in fact I'm still wearing the same clothes!
"But it didn't take me any time at all to decide to come here. This is a massive, massive club and it's my dream to play in the Premiership." Kilbane trained with his new team-mates on Wednesday morning after agreeing a four-and-a-half-year deal with Reid.
And he is looking forward to supplying the crosses for the Premiership's most potent strike force. "I know Niall Quinn from the Republic of Ireland and I know how well he is playing at the moment," said the former Preston winger.
"And Kevin Phillips is on fire at the moment. He's a great player and you couldn't wish for two better strikers to supply crosses for."
Kilbane faces a tough challenge to break into Reid's side but he is likely to feature at some stage against Southampton on Saturday.
"I know it'll be tough to break into the side," he said. "But this is a top Premiership club and I'm delighted to be here."

£2.5m Kilbane teams up with deadly strikeforce

THE Premiership's deadliest strikeforce last night welcomed the arrival of Kevin Kilbane, relishing the chance to benefit most from the exciting winger's arrival at Sunderland.
The Republic of Ireland international finalised a £2.5m move from West Bromwich Albion after passing a routine medical yesterday.
Preston-born Kilbane, who put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half-year deal, has already trained with his new colleagues, showing the Stadium of Light squad glimpses of his growing talent.
Kevin Phillips and Niall Quinn, who've been terrorising Premiership defences all season, have endorsed the acquisition, both enjoying the prospect of teaming up with a potent new source of ammunition to add to their 24-goal joint haul.
Phillips said: "It's a great signing for us. When I saw we were linked with him, I thought it would be a good buy.
"He's a good acquisition for the club and it just shows how serious we are."
"I've been getting good service all season, but when you've got someone who is quick and strong like Kevin it can only help.
"He trained with us yesterday, and just watching him you can see what great feet he has and how well he crosses the ball. I'm looking forward to playing with him."
But, just like everyone here, Kevin faces a tough challenge to get into the side, but he brings further competition into the squad, which is great
Kilbane, who began his career as a trainee at Preston North End, added: "The club is going places and is on fire at the moment.
"It is a massive club and I'm really looking forward to playing here."
The deal brings an end to a transfer merry-go-round as a series of clubs chased the young Irishman's signature.
With Allan Johnston's protracted contract dispute, and neither John Oster or Carsten Fredgaard having made the role their own, Sunderland have lacked a natural left-sided wide man this season.
Stefan Schwarz and Gavin McCann have both done admirably playing out of position on the left of a midfield four.
But the addition of the versatile Kilbane, who can play out wide or up front, will lead to an even greater supply of crosses for the front two, who've thrived at the top level this season.
Peter Reid now has the difficult decision of whether to start with seven-goal Kilbane against Southampton on Saturday. Even with his expensive price tag and reputation, the Irishman may have to settle for an introduction from the bench.
Quinn, who has played alongside Kilbane for the Republic of Ireland, added: "Kevin's a swashbuckling type of player who will excite the fans.
"I've worked with him in the Republic squad over the last two years and he's improved dramatically during that time," said Quinn.
"Now he has arrived at a top Premiership club and his game can only improve coming here. I believe he'll go from strength to strength.
"Kevin's no fancy-dan in terms of his attitude and his commitment. He'll get stuck in, he's very good in the air and his pace in fantastic. He's got a lot of qualities and will bring things that a lot of wingers don't.
"I know Peter Reid is delighted to get him and Kevin's got a smile on his face the size of the River Wear and I believe Kevin will go from strength to strength."
Kilbane is 6ft tall and weighs in at 12st 10lbs, giving him a physical presence which makes him a real handful for defenders.
Reid said: "He is everything you look for in a player."He's a good acquisition to the squad because he can play out wide or up front."

15/12 KILBANE TO SIGN

Reid in swoop for £2.5m Kilbane

KEVIN KILBANE

PETER Reid is on the verge of clinching the £2.5m signature of West Brom winger Kevin Kilbane.
The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland international is due for talks on Wearside today over a move which would see him become the third most expensive player in Sunderland's history.
Kilbane was withdrawn from the Albion side for the league game at Grimsby Town last night after a fee was agreed.
Sunderland are now hoping to agree terms with the seven-goal former Preston North End player so he can figure in Saturday's sellout Premiership encounter with Southampton at the Stadium of Light.
West Brom boss Brian Little said last night: ''We are losing a quality player. But I understand the circumstances. I am sure that it will come off and we wish him well.''
Kilbane, whose four-year contract at the Hawthorns runs out in 18 months, has refused to open new talks with the cash-strapped First Division club, currently £2m in debt.
The fee for Kilbane is eclipsed only by those paid for Stefan Schwarz and Lee Clark.
Boss Peter Reid has agreed a fee with the First Division club for Kilbane and the Republic of Ireland international will sign if he passes a medical in the morning.
Reid has been tracking the 22-year-old all season and sees him as the ideal replacement for contract rebel Allan Johnston.
Johnston is back at Sunderland after turning down a third month's loan spell at Birmingham but unwilling to sign a new contract.
Middlesbrough have also been monitoring Kilbane's situation but Reid has won the race for the left-sided player's signature.
Reid said: "Kevin is a quality player. He will train with the lads in the morning and then sign if he passes a medical but we see no problems.
"He is an international at the age of 22 and has a lot of ability. It's a good signing."
Kilbane can play as a left winger or left-sided striker and his arrival could not come at a better time with Danny Dichio ruled out for two months following a back operation.
Reid checked out Kilbane with Republic boss Mick McCarthy and striker Niall Quinn and received glowing reports.

Second Division promotion chasers Preston North End will collect some of his fee after negotiating a sell-on clause when he left Deepdale for The Hawthorns in the summer of 1997.

BLAME BOSMAN - NOT THE BOARD, ALBION

Albion agreed to sell Kevin Kilbane to Sunderland now, rather than losing him for nothing in 18 months time.
And in a statement released this morning, chief executive John Wile explained that the club did not want a repeat of the Andy Hunt situation, where a top player was lost under the Bosman Ruling.
Kilbane is training with Sunderland this morning and will complete a switch said to be worth £2.5million after a medical.
The deal is sure to anger fans, but Wile insisted the implications of the Bosman Ruling meant the club was left with little choice.
He stated: West Bromwich Albion FC have today accepted an offer from Sunderland FC for the transfer of Kevin Kilbane.
The player and his agent informed the club that they would not be prepared to re-negotiate a new contract to replace the current agreement which expires at the end of next season.
In view of the implications of the Bosman Ruling, Kevin would have been able to leave the club for nothing in the summer of 2001.
Further to the loss of Andy Hunt in similar circumstances, the decision to transfer Kevin at this time has been taken in the best interests of West Bromwich Albion FC.

THE TIMING WAS A KILLER

Brian Little wished winger Kevin Kilbane all the best in his imminent move to Sunderland, but admitted the timing of the switch could not have been worse.
The Baggies boss was forced to withdraw Killer from last night's line-up at Grimsby after Albion agreed a deal with the Premiership high fliers.
And, while he accepted Kilbane's departure was inevitable, Little admitted the news was not the best way to prepare for a tough and vital league clash.
"It's part and parcel of the business," he conceded, "It's a situation that I knew was there, because we knew that Kevin had 18 months on a contract and we knew that he wasn't going to re-sign.
"He's not been a day's problem, there's not been an argument or anything going on. But the timing of the transfer and the circumstances leading up to the transfer before a very important game is very very unfortunate."
Kilbane will hold talks with Sunderland boss Peter Reid this morning after the two clubs agreed a fee. And Little does not expect any problems with the deal.
He added: "I can't believe for one moment that he's not going to sign for them and we wish him well. But it is disappointing.
"Now we've really got to establish just exactly where we are, what we can spend, what we are looking for and hopefully we can improve the team for the future."

STATS
Born: 1.2.77 Preston
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 12st 7lbs
Position: Left Winger
PROFILE:
Strong left-winger with the ability to go past a defender and get in a telling cross. Now the club's record signing, beating the £748,000 paid to Manchester City for Peter Barnes in 1979. Kevin is Albion's first £1m player and a brilliant start to the 1999/2000 season has attracted a host of top clubs including Liverpool and Sunderland. Now an established member of Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland squad.
CAREER:
Cambridge United (junior trialist, 1993-94) Preston North End (junior 30.6.94, professional 6.7.95), FL 40+10/3, FAC 1, LC 4, Others 1+1 West Bromwich Albion (signed £1.25m 22.5.97), FL 42+1/4, FL 5, FAC 2/1

DIAWARA LATEST

Reid's record chance ~ Trialist could cost top fee

SUNDERLAND will have to break their transfer record for a defender if they are to land Torino's Djibril Diawara.
Peter Reid yesterday confirmed his interest in the 25-year-old, who will undergo a five-day trial at Sunderland's Whitburn training ground. Although Torino are in financial trouble and owe the Senegal-born player £75,000 in wages, it is unlikely they would allow Diawara to go on the cheap.
Reid may have to treble the £650,000 he spent on Paul Butler which remains the record Sunderland have paid for a defender. Torino want to at least recoup the £2m they paid Monaco for Diawara last year, although some of the money would have to go to the French league leaders, who have not yet received their final instalment on the transfer.
Before Christmas, they put a price of £4m on Diawara when Glasgow Rangers tried to take him to Ibrox.
Torino have not paid any of their players for the last three months and it is unlikely they will be able to stick with that kind of price tag for someone who has yet to break into the French team.
Although he was born in Dakar, Diawara has French citizenship and emerged into professional football as a product of the Le Havre youth system.
Since moving to Torino, Diawara has been troubled by a recurring knee injury he first picked up during a mixed career at Monaco under Jean Tigana's management.
Although he played just 24 games in two seasons on the Cote d'Azur, Diawara was part of the Monaco side that knocked Manchester United out of the European Cup on the away-goals rule in 1998.
Diawara, who has been used in both midfield and defence, last played in Serie A in Torino's 4-1 thrashing by Parma on December 5, although this has more to do with injury than with lack of form.
"I think he is slightly disillusioned with Torino," said one Italian journalist. "He sometimes shows a poor attitude to training.
"If it was scheduled to start at 2pm, you could be sure he would be there at 2.30. But you have to remember he has not been paid, and he is a very good and skilful player."
The interest in Diawara shows that Sunderland are prepared to cast their net widely in the name of team strengthening.
Chief scout Andy King is monitoring the African Nations Cup in Nigeria and Sunderland were reported to be talking to Portuguese defender Paul Torres, who played for Sporting Lisbon under Bobby Robson and is now with Leganes in the Spanish Second Division.
He would provide support for Michael Gray at left-back, a position where Sunderland have little cover.