Ricketts signs - leedsunited.com 23/6/04

Leeds United Football Club - Ricketts Signs! Leeds United manager Kevin Blackwell has completed his fifth signing of the summer by capturing Michael Ricketts from Middlesbrough. Ricketts has signed a three-year deal, subject to a medical and will form part of an exciting new frontline with fellow new striker Julian Joachim. Michael began his career at Walsall in 1996 and scored 14 goals in 31 games before his style of play attracted interest from bigger clubs. He then joined Bolton for a fee of £400,000 after Walsall had been relegated in 2000 and had a fantastic season during Bolton's promotion winning campaign, scoring 24 goals. The following season though saw him fall out with Sam Allardyce but he still managed to score 15 goals in his debut season in the Premiership before International honours beckoned. He made his England debut against Holland and is still looking to add to his International cap. He signed for Middlesbrough in the January transfer window of 2003 for a fee of £3.5m but never really settled on Teeside and he will be looking to rekindle his career at Elland Road. One reson the Elland Road faithful might remember Michael for is that his last goal in the league for Middlesbrough was against Leeds in January! Boro boss Steve McLaren is still looking to take Mark Viduka away from Elland Road but the Ricketts deal has been completed without any reference to the Australian. It is understood that there is a clause in the contract that if Leeds have a successful season and are promoted back to The Premiership then The Whites will have to pay a specified fee.

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