*All times CAT (GMT+2)

Football | Barclays Premier League

Berbatov completes Fulham move



Fulham won the race to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Manchester United on Friday after the Bulgarian striker completed his move to Craven Cottage for an undisclosed fee.

Berbatov agreed a two-year contract with the west London team after snubbing interest from a host of clubs across Europe.

The 31-year-old had been a target for Italian sides Juventus and Fiorentina, while United manager Sir Alex Ferguson claimed on Friday that Tottenham were interested in re-signing their former star.

But Berbatov, who angered Fiorentina by deciding not to join them despite agreeing terms with the Serie A outfit, was persuaded to move to Fulham by his former Tottenham manager Martin Jol, who is now in charge at Craven Cottage.

"I'm delighted to have signed for Fulham and I look forward to playing under Martin Jol once again," Berbatov told Fulham's website.

"As soon as I was aware of Fulham's interest my decision to join was an easy one to make.

"I'm impressed with the set up here and the people have made me feel welcome. There is a close and personal feel around the club and I can't wait to get started."

Berbatov, who scored 56 goals in 149 appearances for United after a £30 million move from Tottenham in 2008, had been keen to leave Old Trafford since falling out of favour with Ferguson last season.

He finished as the Premier League's joint top-scorer in 2011, but his perceived lack of effort never made him a favourite with United fans and he was unable to convince Ferguson of his worth in the latter stages of his spell at Old Traford.

Jol hopes to revive Berbatov's career and he added: "Dimitar is a player I've always admired. He did well for me at Spurs and I'm sure that he will do well here at Fulham.

"He's a player of great quality and technical ability who will give me the attacking option I've been looking for.

"When he's not scoring goals, his ingenuity often leads to chances being created for his teammates and I'm delighted that we've been able to convince him to come to us, as there was a lot of attention from other clubs."

Shop

Gerrard: My Autobiography
Steven Gerrard is a hero to millions, not only as the inspirational captain of Liverpool FC, but as a key member of the England team.
R118.00
Red: My autobiography
No player has been more synonymous with the glory years of Manchester United Football Club over the past two decades than right-back Gary Neville.
R195.00
The Professor: Arsene Wenger
Idealistic, passionate and scientific, Arsene Wenger led the modernisation of English football
R138.00
FIFA 13
All-new Attacking Intelligence infuses players with the most sophisticated artificial intelligence ever achieved
R564.95


Comments

More expert analysis and opinion from Sport24
The opinions expressed by Sport24 experts and bloggers are theirs alone, and do not necessarily represent those of SuperSport

Sports Talk



John Dykes
A day for sentiment, stats and hard cash
The title may have been won weeks ago and the relegation issues settled seven days back but there...

Emeka Enyadike
Beckham, most popular football star
Is David Beckham the most famous football player ever? I tweeted from my @EmekaEnyadike handle and...

Segun Odegbami
Dortmund may surprise favourites
I cannot disguise my interest in Barcelona. I never hide my love for their style of play that is...

Calvin Emeka Onwuka
Not this time Arsenal
The league title is with Robin van Persie and his Manchester United teammates. Man City have...

Neil Tovey
Khune top of the class
Kaizer Chiefs are on the verge of clinching their first league title since 2005. One man’s name is...

Clyde Tlou
Enough is enough with racists
We love it so much and even call it the beautiful game but the beauty of this game we love so much...