Bradley Wright-Phillips today completed a move to Southampton in a bid to secure more regular first team football.
Saints boss George Burley originally enquired about the possibility of a a season-long loan deal but talks quickly moved onto whether a permanent transfer would be on the cards.
Wright-Phillips has struggled somewhat to live up to the reputation and exploits of his brother Shaun (and indeed his own goalscoring record in the reserves) in his couple of seasons in and around the first team; Stuart Pearce obviously came to the conclusion that with Bradley now 5th in the pecking order of strikers at Eastlands behind Georgios Samaras, Darius Vassell, Andy Cole and the newly returned Paul Dickov, a move would be good for all concerned.
The initial fee is an undisclosed six figure sum which will rise to more than £1m depending on appearances, sell on fees and whether or not Southampton win promotion next season.
Such a sum represents good business for a young striker still trying to adapt to the rigours of the Premiership, and who scored just once in 18 appearances last season – although 17 of those were as substitute.
Many City fans will be sorry to see BWP go for sentimental reasons due to the connection with his brother Shaun, but the money generated from the transfer and from wages will be gladly scooped up into Pearce’s summer transfer kitty.
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