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.