In the last hour Stoke have made their secondaddition to the squadof the transfer window, swooping to sign forward James Beattie from Sheffield United for a fee that could rise to 3.5 million. The former England international has signed a contract that runs until the summer of 2011.After days of speculation Beattie signs for Stoke The 30 year old began his career as a youngster at his hometown club Blackburn Rovers, where he played just seven times, failing to score a single goal. He moved to Southampton in 1998 for 1 million and despite making a slow start Javonte Williams Jersey at the club became a hero in his second season on the South coast when a run of ten goals in ten games helped the Saints to survival. His best season came in 2002/03, when he scored 23 league goals for the club, finishing second in the Premier League goalscoring table. In total. he made 235 appearances for Southampton, scoring 76 goals. It was in his Southampton days that he earned all five of his England caps, but in truth he never really made the step up to international player and never scored a goal for his country. A big money move to Everton came after his good form in 2004, the fee being 6 million. For the large part, his form at the Merseyside club didnt Malik Reed Jersey live up to the promise he showed at Southampton, but he did have his moments during his three years at the club, most notably a superb winner against Arsenal, and before his move to Sheffield United in July 2007 his total Rojesterman Farris Jersey record was fifteen goals in 86 games. He dropped down a level to the Championship in July 2007, when the Blades payed 4 million to secure his services, and has been on blistering form the the club ever since. He scored 22 goals last term and had already netted twelve times this season, giving him a total record of better than a goal a game at the South Yorkshire club. Beattie is a player with great goalscoring pedigree at all levels. Though he is probably past the prime of his career at 30, I still think he can do an excellent job for Stokethroughout his two and a half year contract and most importantly for the remaining seventeen fixtures of this season, which are most vital to DeMarcus Ware Jersey our survival hopes. Although I know its unlikely to happen, I personally would like to see a first choice forward line of Beattie and Dave Kitson, who has been a flop so far for us. Beattie is a strong battling player, good in the air while also a good finished, while Kitson would provide a good foil as a more subtle striker, but one that in my view could profit for the partnership nonethele s. What now becomes interesting is the future of Ricardo Fuller after his on pitch bust up with Andy Griffin on December 28th. Celtic and Blackburn are both said to be interested in him and now, given the strikers we have in the squad and particularly if we add the signatures of Henri Camara and Aruna Dinadane as we are rumoured to be keen on doing, Fuller may be surplus to requirements and I would give lengthy consideration to allowing him to leave if the price is right. I feel that at times Fullers stroppy attitude on the pitch rubs off on the other players, causing the side to play worse as a whole. In truth, Fuller McTelvin Agim Jersey has been far from his best for several months now, and unle s he can recapture some of his early season form, which he must do if he wishes to stay in the side after the arrival of competition for the forward places, I would be prepared to sell him to the highest bidder.Beattie scores one of 34 Sheffield United goals
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