And Healy’s the 4th

In a move that will surprise no-one, Sir David Healy has signed a 4 year deal at Fulham for £1.5 Million.

Healy: “Obviously I know Lawrie Sanchez well and through his time as manager of Northern Ireland he has given me a lot of support, so I am really looking forward to playing under him in the Premier League.”
LS: “David has showcased his striking pedigree at the highest level with Northern Ireland in recent years, and I have every confidence that he will produce the same form for Fulham.”

Baird becomes Lawrie’s 3rd NI signing

Chris Baird has turned down the chance to join Sunderland to sign for Fulham for £3.025m.
Lawrie: “I am well aware of Chris’s attributes as a player from my time with Northern Ireland and his qualities and versatility will be a major asset for the club next season. Winning the Southampton player of the season award last year is testament to his continued progress and development, which I have seen first hand at international level. Chris becomes my second defensive signing following the arrival of Aaron Hughes and both players provide some much needed strength to our defence.”
And having Hughesy and Baird playing together at club level can only be good for NI!

Baird: “I became aware of Fulham’s interest at the start of the summer. It’s been a long time coming as Fulham have made bids to Southampton for me but they were turned down straight away. It’s been a long, hard wait but thankfully it’s all done and dusted now and I’m a Fulham player.
“I had to speak to my family first and make sure they were happy with the move but it’s been made easier for me because I know a lot of the players and staff here at Fulham. I know Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis, Heidar Helguson and Antti Niemi on the playing side and Terry Gibson, Dave Beasant and the Manager, Lawrie Sanchez, from Northern Ireland.
“I was at Southampton for nine years which is a very long time and there comes a time when you have to call it a day and this was a great opportunity for me and my family. To play in the Premiership was one of the major reasons for me coming here. There are good quality players here and I’m just looking forward to the season. It’s not the easiest start against Arsenal but I don’t see why we can’t get a result if we do things right in pre-season.

Since the last update

Bristol City completed the signing of Ivan Sproule

Ivan signed a 3-year contract
Aaron Hughes moved to Fulham

“I’ve worked with the Manager before with Northern Ireland and I know that when he goes about a job he’s fully committed to it,” Hughes said. “I knew where he wanted to take Northern Ireland, he was successful and he’s got the same ambition with Fulham.
“Possibly the perception is that Fulham is a nice little London club, but when you get down here and have a look around, you realise that it’s bigger than many people think, which impressed me a lot. I always knew that Fulham was a good club and all things considered, it was a perfect move for me,” he said. “As far as move down here is concerned, I’m quite excited about living in the area and I think it will be a really good Club to play my football at and do well at.
“There is certainly a lot of potential; I know there are a lot of good players here already and hopefully we can fulfil that potential. I know how the Manager thinks and the way he wants Fulham to go. I’d like to be around here as long as I can and do really well. I’ll give everything every game and hopefully that will be enough. I hope to fit in and be part of a good team because, like I say, there are good players here already.”
LS: ‘I am delighted that we have been able to bring Aaron to Fulham. As my Captain whilst I was Manager at Northern Ireland, I saw his obvious leadership skills and his qualities as a player which are widely recognised, so I’m delighted that he becomes my first signing of the summer. He’ll bring some much needed depth to the squad and a level of commitment and tenacity that forms an integral part of my philosophy for next season’s campaign.’
And Lorry also completed the £4M signing of Steve Davis

‘I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement between the two clubs to enable me to play for Fulham next season. It was decision that took a lot of consideration as I have been at Aston Villa throughout my playing career, so leaving was not an easy choice to make. However, I discussed the move with the Manager and we talked about his plans here, which really impressed me, so although it’s sad to be leaving Villa, I know this is the right decision for me and my future.’
LS: ‘I am delighted that we have been able to bring Steven to Fulham. He is a young and exciting player and one whose signature reaffirms my ambitions for this Club. I made him the youngest player to Captain Northern Ireland with good reason – his commitment, passion and enthusiasm for the game are hard to rival, and I know that he will bring real quality to our squad. It was a slow start to the window for us, but now we’ve begun to add some new faces which is good for everyone here so I’m looking forward to some hard work on the training pitch and, of course, to the start of the season.’
Royston signed a 1-year deal at Rangers after being released by West Ham

Finally, Sunderland have had a £3M offer for Baird accepted by Southampton.

Since the last update

Bristol City completed the signing of Ivan Sproule

Ivan signed a 3-year contract
Aaron Hughes moved to Fulham

“I’ve worked with the Manager before with Northern Ireland and I know that when he goes about a job he’s fully committed to it,” Hughes said. “I knew where he wanted to take Northern Ireland, he was successful and he’s got the same ambition with Fulham.
“Possibly the perception is that Fulham is a nice little London club, but when you get down here and have a look around, you realise that it’s bigger than many people think, which impressed me a lot. I always knew that Fulham was a good club and all things considered, it was a perfect move for me,” he said. “As far as move down here is concerned, I’m quite excited about living in the area and I think it will be a really good Club to play my football at and do well at.
“There is certainly a lot of potential; I know there are a lot of good players here already and hopefully we can fulfil that potential. I know how the Manager thinks and the way he wants Fulham to go. I’d like to be around here as long as I can and do really well. I’ll give everything every game and hopefully that will be enough. I hope to fit in and be part of a good team because, like I say, there are good players here already.”
LS: ‘I am delighted that we have been able to bring Aaron to Fulham. As my Captain whilst I was Manager at Northern Ireland, I saw his obvious leadership skills and his qualities as a player which are widely recognised, so I’m delighted that he becomes my first signing of the summer. He’ll bring some much needed depth to the squad and a level of commitment and tenacity that forms an integral part of my philosophy for next season’s campaign.’
And Lorry also completed the £4M signing of Steve Davis

‘I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement between the two clubs to enable me to play for Fulham next season. It was decision that took a lot of consideration as I have been at Aston Villa throughout my playing career, so leaving was not an easy choice to make. However, I discussed the move with the Manager and we talked about his plans here, which really impressed me, so although it’s sad to be leaving Villa, I know this is the right decision for me and my future.’
LS: ‘I am delighted that we have been able to bring Steven to Fulham. He is a young and exciting player and one whose signature reaffirms my ambitions for this Club. I made him the youngest player to Captain Northern Ireland with good reason – his commitment, passion and enthusiasm for the game are hard to rival, and I know that he will bring real quality to our squad. It was a slow start to the window for us, but now we’ve begun to add some new faces which is good for everyone here so I’m looking forward to some hard work on the training pitch and, of course, to the start of the season.’
Royston signed a 1-year deal at Rangers after being released by West Ham

Finally, Sunderland have had a £3M offer for Baird accepted by Southampton.