Leedsunited.com 7/7/06
SIMON SAYS...FAREWELL
Youngster Simon Walton has completed the formalities of his switch to Charlton Athletic.
The Leeds-born defender today agreed a -year deal with the Premiership club and has joined Charlton for an undisclosed fee.
Simon, who was in the final year of his Elland Road contract, made a big impression during his first season as a professional at United, but made just three starts last term.
"It is a blow, but we wish him all the best," said United manager Kevin Blackwell. "He did a great job at a crucial time and hopefully we will be up there with him in the future."
The manager admits the decision to join Charlton was left to the 18-year-old after the Londoners expressed their interest.
"We don't have to sell," said the boss. "I put it to Simon and he said he wanted to speak to them. Now they've reached an agreement and good luck to him. If opportunities are of a nature where a player feels he can better himself then I've got to give him that opportunity. I don't think any manager has the right to deny an opportunity." On completing his move, Simon said: "I am very grateful to Leeds for giving me the chance to move into the Premiership with Charlton. I had a year left of my contract and was aiming for a good season with Leeds, but when this offer came out of the blue I knew it was too good to turn down. Charlton are an established Premiership team with an excellent manager in Iain Dowie and I am really looking forward to getting started with pre-season."
Leedsunited.com 7/7/06
SPEED IS THE NEED
Pace will be the name of the game for summer signing Seb Carole as he looks to impress at his new club.
The former Brighton winger completed the formalities of his switch to United earlier this week and joined up with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday. The 23-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract, can play on either wing and is relishing the opportunity to show what he is all about. I can play right winger or left winger, it doesn't matter," said Seb. "Any offensive position is no problem - I can play behind a big striker, or behind two strikers. It's one of my challenges is to be quick enough to make problems for defences. I played for West Ham two years ago when I was on loan from Monaco. Leeds remind me of playing at a high level and that's good for me."
United fans may remember Seb from last season when he urned in two impressive displays against the Whites for his former club. He scored his first Brighton goal during the 3-3 thriller at Elland Road last September and also looked lively during United's 2-1 defeat on the south coast at the turn of the year.
"I scored my first goal for Brighton against Leeds," he recalled. "It was fantastic because Elland Road is a big stadium with a big crowd. For 15 or 20 minutes that day Wayne Henderson our goalkeeper was absolutely wonderful. But Leeds are a good team and they played well and equalised at the end."
Brighton maintained their excellent recent record against United last season, but the campaign ended in disappointment when the Seagulls lost their battle for Championship survival.
Frenchman Seb had a clause inserted in his contract allowing him to move on should Brighton slip into League One - and he had no doubts where his future lay when United came calling."I spoke to the manager (Mark McGhee) and said to him that if I had an opportunity to leave Brighton for another club then I would because Brighton had gone down," explained Seb. "It would have been difficult for me to play in a division below. Leeds is a massive club. We know Leeds in France, and Leeds are known all over the world. This is a good chance for me."
Sporting Life 5/7/06
BLACKWELL DELIGHT AT CAROLE ARRIVAL
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell admitted his "delight" after making Brighton winger Seb Carole his first summer signing.
The 23-year-old joins the Whites on a free transfer after activating a release clause in his contract following the Seagulls' relegation last season.
And Blackwell said: "We're delighted to complete the signing of Seb. We're always on the lookout for players who can strengthen the squad here and Seb fits the criteria of what we are looking for.
"He's a young lad, he's ambitious, and he did well at Brighton last season during a tough year. He's got good pace and can play on either flank. He's a welcome addition to the squad."
BLACKWELL HAPPY TO LET WALTON GO
By Paul Kendrick, PA Sport
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell admits a move to Premiership side Charlton would be a great opportunity for youngster Simon Walton.
Walton looks set to become the latest product of the Whites' highly-successful Academy to depart Elland Road after Blackwell confirmed the starlet is in talks with the Addicks.
Following in the recent footsteps of England World Cup squad members Aaron Lennon and Scott Carson, as well as big-name sales Paul Robinson and Alan Smith, home-grown Walton looks set to leave.
Blackwell admitted: "We've had an approach from Charlton about Simon and have allowed him to speak to them.
"They are a Premiership club and it's potentially an opportunity for him. We are not going to stand in his way."
As Walton is only 18, and is a player who has come through the ranks at Elland Road, Leeds should receive compensation in the region of £500,000.
The teenager is seen as one for the future by new Charlton boss Iain Dowie, even though he appeared to lose his way at Leeds last season.
As a 16-year-old Walton was handed his debut in Blackwell's first match in charge at the start of the 2004-05 season and went on to make 33 appearances over the campaign.
However, despite such promise, Walton made just five appearances last term, but now his career is on the brink of a remarkable twist with the prospect of playing in the Premiership.
Meanwhile, Blackwell has admitted his "delight" after making Brighton winger Seb Carole his first summer signing.
The 23-year-old joins the club on a free transfer after activating a release clause in his contract following the Seagulls' relegation last season.
Blackwell said: "We're delighted to complete the signing of Seb. We're always on the look-out for players who can strengthen the squad here and Seb fits the criteria of what we are looking for.
"He's a young lad, he's ambitious, and he did well at Brighton last season during a tough year. He's got good pace and can play on either flank. He's a welcome addition to the squad."
SIMON SAYS...FAREWELL
Youngster Simon Walton has completed the formalities of his switch to Charlton Athletic.
The Leeds-born defender today agreed a -year deal with the Premiership club and has joined Charlton for an undisclosed fee.
Simon, who was in the final year of his Elland Road contract, made a big impression during his first season as a professional at United, but made just three starts last term.
"It is a blow, but we wish him all the best," said United manager Kevin Blackwell. "He did a great job at a crucial time and hopefully we will be up there with him in the future."
The manager admits the decision to join Charlton was left to the 18-year-old after the Londoners expressed their interest.
"We don't have to sell," said the boss. "I put it to Simon and he said he wanted to speak to them. Now they've reached an agreement and good luck to him. If opportunities are of a nature where a player feels he can better himself then I've got to give him that opportunity. I don't think any manager has the right to deny an opportunity." On completing his move, Simon said: "I am very grateful to Leeds for giving me the chance to move into the Premiership with Charlton. I had a year left of my contract and was aiming for a good season with Leeds, but when this offer came out of the blue I knew it was too good to turn down. Charlton are an established Premiership team with an excellent manager in Iain Dowie and I am really looking forward to getting started with pre-season."
Leedsunited.com 7/7/06
SPEED IS THE NEED
Pace will be the name of the game for summer signing Seb Carole as he looks to impress at his new club.
The former Brighton winger completed the formalities of his switch to United earlier this week and joined up with his new team-mates for the first time yesterday. The 23-year-old, who has signed a three-year contract, can play on either wing and is relishing the opportunity to show what he is all about. I can play right winger or left winger, it doesn't matter," said Seb. "Any offensive position is no problem - I can play behind a big striker, or behind two strikers. It's one of my challenges is to be quick enough to make problems for defences. I played for West Ham two years ago when I was on loan from Monaco. Leeds remind me of playing at a high level and that's good for me."
United fans may remember Seb from last season when he urned in two impressive displays against the Whites for his former club. He scored his first Brighton goal during the 3-3 thriller at Elland Road last September and also looked lively during United's 2-1 defeat on the south coast at the turn of the year.
"I scored my first goal for Brighton against Leeds," he recalled. "It was fantastic because Elland Road is a big stadium with a big crowd. For 15 or 20 minutes that day Wayne Henderson our goalkeeper was absolutely wonderful. But Leeds are a good team and they played well and equalised at the end."
Brighton maintained their excellent recent record against United last season, but the campaign ended in disappointment when the Seagulls lost their battle for Championship survival.
Frenchman Seb had a clause inserted in his contract allowing him to move on should Brighton slip into League One - and he had no doubts where his future lay when United came calling."I spoke to the manager (Mark McGhee) and said to him that if I had an opportunity to leave Brighton for another club then I would because Brighton had gone down," explained Seb. "It would have been difficult for me to play in a division below. Leeds is a massive club. We know Leeds in France, and Leeds are known all over the world. This is a good chance for me."
Sporting Life 5/7/06
BLACKWELL DELIGHT AT CAROLE ARRIVAL
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell admitted his "delight" after making Brighton winger Seb Carole his first summer signing.
The 23-year-old joins the Whites on a free transfer after activating a release clause in his contract following the Seagulls' relegation last season.
And Blackwell said: "We're delighted to complete the signing of Seb. We're always on the lookout for players who can strengthen the squad here and Seb fits the criteria of what we are looking for.
"He's a young lad, he's ambitious, and he did well at Brighton last season during a tough year. He's got good pace and can play on either flank. He's a welcome addition to the squad."
BLACKWELL HAPPY TO LET WALTON GO
By Paul Kendrick, PA Sport
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell admits a move to Premiership side Charlton would be a great opportunity for youngster Simon Walton.
Walton looks set to become the latest product of the Whites' highly-successful Academy to depart Elland Road after Blackwell confirmed the starlet is in talks with the Addicks.
Following in the recent footsteps of England World Cup squad members Aaron Lennon and Scott Carson, as well as big-name sales Paul Robinson and Alan Smith, home-grown Walton looks set to leave.
Blackwell admitted: "We've had an approach from Charlton about Simon and have allowed him to speak to them.
"They are a Premiership club and it's potentially an opportunity for him. We are not going to stand in his way."
As Walton is only 18, and is a player who has come through the ranks at Elland Road, Leeds should receive compensation in the region of £500,000.
The teenager is seen as one for the future by new Charlton boss Iain Dowie, even though he appeared to lose his way at Leeds last season.
As a 16-year-old Walton was handed his debut in Blackwell's first match in charge at the start of the 2004-05 season and went on to make 33 appearances over the campaign.
However, despite such promise, Walton made just five appearances last term, but now his career is on the brink of a remarkable twist with the prospect of playing in the Premiership.
Meanwhile, Blackwell has admitted his "delight" after making Brighton winger Seb Carole his first summer signing.
The 23-year-old joins the club on a free transfer after activating a release clause in his contract following the Seagulls' relegation last season.
Blackwell said: "We're delighted to complete the signing of Seb. We're always on the look-out for players who can strengthen the squad here and Seb fits the criteria of what we are looking for.
"He's a young lad, he's ambitious, and he did well at Brighton last season during a tough year. He's got good pace and can play on either flank. He's a welcome addition to the squad."