FIRST ON SBI
Photo by ISI Photos
U.S. national team forward Eddie Johnson has been granted a United Kingdom work permit after having his appeal granted following a meeting with a work permit panel on Wednesday, sources close to Johnson confirmed on Wednesday.
The work permit has cleared the way for Johnson to sign with Fulham. Johnson inked a deal that will keep him with the London club through the 2010/2011 season.
Johnson bought out the remaining year of his contract with MLS for a fee sources are putting in the neighborhood of $4 million. Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl wrote about the buyout clause back in 2005 and revealed that it kicked in last January.
MLS and the Kansas City Wizards were eager to see the deal go through for fear of losing Johnson on a free transfer after the 2008 season.
So why sign with Fulham when the club is struggling so badly? Well, one thing that is clear about Fulham is that its ownership isn’t afraid to spend money so even if the Cottagers are relegated the chances are that the club will have the resources to make a strong push to return to the English Premier League after one season.
Fulham is currently five point behind a pack of three clubs at the bottom of the EPL standings. The Cottagers has 15 games to make up five points on at least two of the following team: Birmingham, Wigan and Sunderland. Bolton is six points ahead of Fulham, giving the Cottagers four teams it can attempt to catch down the stretch.
What do you think of Johnson signing with Fulham? Think he could flourish? Think Fulham just made a big mistake? Share your thoughts below.
Quick question. Everyone keeps saying that Dempsey is playing attacking mid, but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen him in a game where he’s playing attacking mid. They had him on the right wing all lost year when he’d sub in. This year he’s been playing forward and usually late in the game they’ll put a forward in for a winger, and Dempsey will drop into the wing role.
Personally, I think he’d thrive in the attacking mid role, but I just dont’ know if I’ve seen him in that position thus far.
BK, right with you there buddy. I’ve had some similar feelings about GAM.
Click on my link below and Rich, who co-writes our Fulham blog, wrote up a piece on EJ today and links to a earlier article I posted where I have some reservations about EJ also. He could develop into a good player and I certainly hope so. But I just don’t feel that Fulham is the team for him right now.
Then again if were relegated, the Championship would be a great place for him to start to see if he’s got the right stuff to play at that level.
I feel like a lot of people arent really understanding Fulhams situation right now. Yes they have signed other forwards during this transfer period and yes they have a good number of them but this does not mean that signing EJ was a bad move for Fulham or for EJ. As previously stated Healy and Kamara are garbage, King has not been signed (I believe he failed a physical) and McBride’s return is no gurantee (and if he does return there is no gurantee he will be his old self). So that leaves EJ in a pretty good position with the other signing (Cousin?) being his main competition at forward. Fulham does not need help in the midfield (at least not as much as some think). Jimmy Bullard is a solid player just coming back from injury, they have Bouzza (spelling) and Davies on the wings and the EJ/Cousin transfers will allow Dempsey to slide back into a CAM role. Defensively they are definetly having some problems but they have partially addressed that with the previously stated improvements in midfield and by signing a new CB.
Time to put up or shut up Eddie.
Gonna have comp and gonna have to work real hard, as well as being mentally tough.
I would hate to see Clint in the CCC because with a better squad I am sure he would fit in better.
The CCC would be perfect for EJ.
If you think MLS is getting nothing out of the deal, then ask yourself where EJ’s buyout money is going.
It makes sense. EJ gets the deal he wants, Fulham probably reimburses him for the buyout in the form of a signing bonus. Everybody benefits.
Diego, the buyout was for close to $4 million, so KC and MLS made out in the deal.
Why would MLS/KC let EJ buy out of his contract? What would they have to gain by letting him out? I am pretty sure if there is a transfer fee, its going to KC/MLS and EJ isnt getting the fee himself. Otherwise, if he did buy out then its a free transfer but that also makes no sense. I am sure this is a standard transfer agreement.
Two thoughts. One, you can’t judge Fulham on an FA Cup loss. Relegation is the top priority, so it’s probably better that they exit other Cups quickly.
Two, simply saying Fulham should spend $10 million on a quality player is unrealistic. They are a club with no history and already in the relegation zone. Stars aren’t going to go there for slightly more money, so Fulham has to try and overpay lesser players or find players from the Championship that can hack it in the PL.
Size, speed, robotic like attitude to the game – Yup EJ fits the profile of 75% of the EPL players out there. The English game suits him perfectly, lets just see if he can make the adjustment to playing against better defenders.
Prediction:
-Regardless of how many goals he may score in the EPL, EJ has a field day every time he gets to train against Fulham’s backline.
“Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey ARE hip-hop”
This caused laughter.
Brian:
I’m with you. I’m a big Dempsey fan. I follow Fulham pretty regularly and he seems like a pretty good guy. They were references to his days in the MLS and when he was first going over there.
And they were mainly a commentary on Eddie Johnson who I have some problems with, mainly being his work ethic. Shouldn’t have lumped Clint in with him especially since Clint’s work ethic at Fulham is out of this world. I’ll take the fault for that one. My bad.
Twellman must be kicking himself that he didn’t negotiate a similar buy-out clause. This must’ve been part of EJ’s contract from the start, MLS wouldn’t have walked away from a transfer fee if they could help it.
BK, you know not what you speak of.
Dempsey has publicly said that he’s done with the rapping thing. Sure he loves hip-hop. Most guys his age do. But following Fulham closely there have been some really nice articles about him recently and young man is really growing up into a fine individual that we in the States should be proud of. He is representing us with a lot of class these days. The fans at FFC really appreciate his work ethic. Something he didn’t necessarily have when he was back here in MLS.
Ives,
Help me out here. In your blog you say “MLS and the Kansas City Wizards were eager to see the deal go through for fear of losing Johnson on a free transfer after the 2008 season.” but in the comments you mention that EJ bought out of his contract so there was no transfer fee. What, if anything, did the MLS and KC get out of this deal?
Good for Eddie, joining the other 19 strikers at the club. I hope he and Dempsey get their minutes. Seems almost guaranteed that Dempsey will.
Leon Andreason is the midfielder from Bremen, good signing, should help somewhat to a dismal midfield. Not a massive loss from Bremen as they are stacked (Borowski the traitor is joining Klose the traitor next season, but thats next season). Good luck to Eddie, curious to see if a better midfield will help out. Dudes too inconsistent in the MLS, thats for sure…
True. Clint Dempsey has lead the life of a rapper. Good call on that one. Eddie Johnson as well. I didn’t say they weren’t into hip-hop, i’m saying that they both think they are rappers ready to go platinum and i find that hilarious. Dempsey reminds me of some kids I went to middle school with, like he’s some super tough rapper dude. Give me a break.
As for the term poseur, it turns out that your stereotypical assessment was exactly right. I’m sitting in my cubicle with a bottle of Procede listening to Slayer.
That’s a great quote. “Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey ARE hip-hop”.
Ives,
Any idea what the buy-out fee was? How does KC get to use that – is it treated the same way a transfer fee would be by MLS?
BK Said: “Although if it doesn’t work out, he and Dempsey can finally take up those hip-hop careers they’ve been planning for. Bunch of poseurs.”
Dude, who
a) Thinks Eddie Johnson and Clint Dempsey aren’t really into hip hop. Do you know ANYTHING about where they grew up. THEY ARE HIP HOP.
b) who other than old suburban metal burnouts in their mid 30s uses the term “poseur”?
Good luck EJ! I’m curious to see how well you respond to the EPL but I wish you well none-the-less.
Fulham is turning into the MLS team of the EPL.
Looks like Fulham will field more Americans in their starting 11 than DC United will this season.
Wow that was pretty smart of him. Good lukc to EJ but I am getting a bit hesitant of having too many US players on one team. Hopefully it will pan out for them.
Time to be a hater.
Dominghosa, if by ‘smarts in off-the-ball movement’ you mean his one run he makes per game, than you are correct. Eddie Johnson is the laziest player in the MLS and does the least with the most that I’ve seen in a looooong time. He’ll need to have a major change in work ethic and work his a$$ off like Dempsey does if he ever expects to see the field.
Although if it doesn’t work out, he and Dempsey can finally take up those hip-hop careers they’ve been planning for. Bunch of poseurs.
I think this is a 50-50 move for Fulham and Johnson. EJ is in a funk and hasn’t gotten back to where he was before his foot injury. Playing consitently against the talent in the EPL will only be good for him.
The question is, can he find consistency and is he willing to do the hard work to succeed? I don’t know. Last year something like 45% of his goals came from two games, back-to-back hat tricks. The second half of the season he was mostly not a factor, scoring-wise. He did have a few brilliant moments, though, and hopefully the Fulham coaching staff can coax more of that out of him more often.
Good luck to him and I hope this experience gets him right for the US because lord knows we’ve got a striker problem there…
No transfer fee folks. Johnson bought out his own contract and basically pocketed what would have been the transfer fee. Great bit of business on his part.
Interesting FUlham gets another American. I think that makes 5. Anyways good for EJ he finally got out of the MLS which I feel was making him regress a bit. This is probably the swift kick in the rear to show the world the talent he has
Good luck to Eddie Money. His speed should cause problems. His shot accuracy not so much.
But he will score goals due to the chances he’ll get. Not only with his speed but the runs that he will make. His smarts in off-the-ball movement in open space is vastly underrated.
Fulhamerica can catch up to the rest of the teams above it in the table and stay up in the Prem. But if it goes down to the Championship, they’ll be the favorites to win the league.
What’s interesting is Fulhamerica’s moves in this window. Three forwards. And just one defender.
Here’s guessing Dempsey will fall to midfield and improve that part of the game with EJ in a rotation with the other forwards every other match.
Actually anyone who knows Fulham, knows that they DO NEED strikers as Healy and Kamara are crap at the moment and Dempsey is playing out of position.
Johnson will get time immediately either as a starter or off the bench and this will allow Clint to play attacking midfield again.
The defense is not actually rubbish it is the ability to play football in the midfield so this move is actually going to prove very helpful in both aspects.
Good luck. Hope he dedicates himself a wee bit more than he did here, or he will find himself playing against the “Horse & Duck XI” in the West Lancashire Premier League …
Great scoop Ives! Erik beat me to the punch. It is official on the Fulham FC website. Good luck EJ! Hopefully Fulham FC won’t be relegated since there are so many americans in the team. I hope EJ can give them a boost. What was the transfer fee?
i actually think his game is well-suited to Fulham, as Fulham just tries to kick it up to a target forward. His speed should create some problems (as long as he gets a running start, he has terrible acceleration)
Thanks Carl. That’s a pretty nice chunk of change. I’ll be interested to see what KC does with it’s share of the loot.
Anyone know when EJ will be available – can he suit up this weekend?
Its official —-> http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2008/January/JohnsonSigns.aspx
Re: travallion
The transfer fee is believed to be around $5-6 million.
I think he should be a good player over there, not a star, but a good player… he’s a good finisher, great speed, and he has good technical ability, although he’s a little robotic both as an athlete and on the ball… the service should be 10 times better at fullham though, which he will benefit from… I think forwards enhance their game more than anyone as they move to better leagues simply b/c they are more dependent on the rest of the team than anyone, which should bode well for EJ (assuming that I’m correct on that)
NICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The thing I find utterly bizarre about this situation isn’t that Fulham loves Americans but that they’re so in love with forwards. Obviously the problem there isn’t just a lack of scoring, it’s bad defending on the wings as well, and somehow a knack for letting in late, dumb goals. Reports out of England have Fulham still chasing the services of 2 or 3 other strikers. By the end of the transfer window they could have like 8 players valued between 1 to 5 million pounds when they should have just gone out and spent $15 million on a player or $8-10 million on two players to bring some class to the team.
Mighty where are you from? If you were American you would be proud to know that there was a team in the prem that had five yanks on it. The real question is why don’t more teams take chances on US players. Why does it seem like it’s only Fulham. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
US players come cheap due to the exchange rate.
There was a transfer fee, right? How much?
Best of luck to EJ. Do us proud young man.
McBride is still injured and it looks like King is not coming to Fulham (not in the current equation). They just picked up this guy named Cousin from Rangers who might be alright(plus 1 stiker). So that leaves Healy and Kamara who are probably not held in the highest regards (-2 strikers). EJ gets his work permit (plus 1 stiker). Who is left? Dempsey probably stays at stiker for a while. Do the math. Fulham have two new fowards minus the two old fowards that suck. Healy and Kamara to the reserves. I have a feeling Dempsey will start at striker until the new boys are settled. I wish the yanks all the best!
Fulham is picking up so many Americans because they are so cheap right now. It is like they are all on the clearence shelf.
Why is Fulham picking up so many American Players. Do they know something we don’t? Not that im saying that US players are not good, but i mean they have 5 players from the US…… lol
Pat,
To the best of my knowledge, the Marlon King transfer (Watford) has been put on hold due to questions regarding the fitnes of King’s knee. Fulham also signed a mid from Werder Bremen (someone help me with the name).
Actually, Eddie’s game translates well to the way the majority of English teams play. The question is – will he bring it?
I hope he does. I hope he’s inspired enough by the chance given him to deliver. Despite my doubts, he’s a Yank Abroad and therefore I root for him.
I’m not so impressed with the other new Fulham signings (at striker). Eddie Johnson definitely has a shot to play. Honestly the CCC might be good for EJ (next year). If he plays well enough he can always get transfered again. I wonder how he would react if Clint Dempsey was transfered after Fulham was relegated. This is a good situation for Eddie becuase he will have fellow Americans to help him adjust and show him the way. I’d say it’s 50/50 chance on him having success. My prediction for this year is 4 goals. If he scores 4 for the rest of the season I would consider the move to be a good one for both parties. EJ is not the answer to relegation. However he might be the answer next year when Fulham are fighting for promotion. EJ is definitely and upgrade over David Healy and Kamara.
Ives,
Why does Fulham want EJ? They have already signed forwards from Watford and the Rangers. That means he has to beat out those 2 and McBride to play. I am assuming they are moving Clint Dempsey back to the midfield. Why hasn’t Fulham signed more midfielders? Their mid field play is less than shocking.
Certainly risky, but I like this move for eddie. It takes challenges and risks to reach higher levels and that is what he is in for. I would imagine he will get a fair shake to prove himself, as Fulham is light on scorers and there are no guarantees with McBride’s return. He walks into an American-friendly environment with a more competitive atmosphere. This will be a challenge for him and I believe that’s what he needs.
His national team spot is being challenged from both sides of the pond and if he wants to secure a place on the 2010 team he needs to step up his game. Not to mention that he gets to link up with his boy Clint, which could have a huge upside for the US team.
I don’t see EJs game transferring well to the EPL at all, but I wish him the best of luck.
Good luck to EJ and for all the Yanks on Fulham. Never been too impressed with Eddie, either his skills or his “”me” attitude, but I wish him the best and I hope he represents American football well.
With all the signings Fulham is allegedly making before the transfer window will he even get a shot to play. Considering the state of Fulham’s affairs (losing to a lower division side in the FA cup) they just seemed destined for relegation. Is EJ content to play in the Championship?