Leedsunited.com 2/6/10
BILLY’S THE BOY
Swindon Town striker Billy Paynter will join Leeds United on July 1.
The 26-year-old, who fired Swindon to the League One play off final last season, was one of the most prolific marksmen in League One having netted 29 goals last season, four of them coming against ourselves.
Paynter's arrival at Elland Road will add further strength to the firepower at Simon Grayson's disposal and the manager was delighted to complete the signing of the player on a three-year contract.
The boss said: "He proved his worth last season, scoring four goals against us in two games. He has matured as a player over the last couple of years and he had a fantastic season last season.
"He works ever so hard, holds the ball up well and he has proved he knows where the back of the net is.When we knew he was available we were desperate to get him. We feel he will be a good acquisition for the club and I am delighted to have got him," he added.
But the United manager was quick to point out that Paynter was not a Beckford. "I've said before that whenever we sign a striker, people will link him to Jermaine but he is not Jermaine Beckford he is Billy Paynter.
"He has got a different style about him and he will do the things that brought him success last year. Jermaine has his strengths and weaknesses and Billy will have as well. There will be comparison and Jermaine Beckford was something different at times. But some of Billy's strengths were better than Jermaine's and maybe some of Jermaine's strengths were better than Billy's. That's why you can't really compare people," added the United manager.
Grayson said that United fans would hardly need reminding what he did to Leeds last season. "He was a constant threat to us, and not just because of the goals he scored against us but in terms of his hold up play, his work rate and movement. He caused us a lot of problems. We have gone out to get a player we think will positively affect us," he added.
Elland Road will be the sixth stopping point for Paynter in a career that has taken in Port Vale, Hull, Southend United, Bradford City, and Swindon. In 280 career league starts he has scored 88 goals and Leeds have pipped a number of clubs to his signature.
"He has come to a big club and he can't wait to get started. He will want to prove to himself that he can play for Leeds and adapt to the Championship," Grayson added.Liverpool-born Paynter began his career with Port Vale and when he made his debut for them in May 2001 he was, at 16 years and 294 days of age, the youngest player in 20 years to play for the club.
BILLY’S THE BOY
Swindon Town striker Billy Paynter will join Leeds United on July 1.
The 26-year-old, who fired Swindon to the League One play off final last season, was one of the most prolific marksmen in League One having netted 29 goals last season, four of them coming against ourselves.
Paynter's arrival at Elland Road will add further strength to the firepower at Simon Grayson's disposal and the manager was delighted to complete the signing of the player on a three-year contract.
The boss said: "He proved his worth last season, scoring four goals against us in two games. He has matured as a player over the last couple of years and he had a fantastic season last season.
"He works ever so hard, holds the ball up well and he has proved he knows where the back of the net is.When we knew he was available we were desperate to get him. We feel he will be a good acquisition for the club and I am delighted to have got him," he added.
But the United manager was quick to point out that Paynter was not a Beckford. "I've said before that whenever we sign a striker, people will link him to Jermaine but he is not Jermaine Beckford he is Billy Paynter.
"He has got a different style about him and he will do the things that brought him success last year. Jermaine has his strengths and weaknesses and Billy will have as well. There will be comparison and Jermaine Beckford was something different at times. But some of Billy's strengths were better than Jermaine's and maybe some of Jermaine's strengths were better than Billy's. That's why you can't really compare people," added the United manager.
Grayson said that United fans would hardly need reminding what he did to Leeds last season. "He was a constant threat to us, and not just because of the goals he scored against us but in terms of his hold up play, his work rate and movement. He caused us a lot of problems. We have gone out to get a player we think will positively affect us," he added.
Elland Road will be the sixth stopping point for Paynter in a career that has taken in Port Vale, Hull, Southend United, Bradford City, and Swindon. In 280 career league starts he has scored 88 goals and Leeds have pipped a number of clubs to his signature.
"He has come to a big club and he can't wait to get started. He will want to prove to himself that he can play for Leeds and adapt to the Championship," Grayson added.Liverpool-born Paynter began his career with Port Vale and when he made his debut for them in May 2001 he was, at 16 years and 294 days of age, the youngest player in 20 years to play for the club.
Sky 31/5/10
Toffees clinch Beckford deal
Striker signs four-year contract after leaving Leeds
Everton have confirmed the signing of Jermaine Beckford on a four-year contract following his departure from Leeds United.
Beckford had the remaining month of his Leeds deal cancelled last week in order to enable the 26-year-old to find a new club.
The striker, who scored 85 goals in 152 appearances for Leeds and played a key role in the club's promotion to the Championship, had long been linked with a move to Goodison Park.
Back in January, reports suggested that Beckford was ready to accept a free transfer move to Merseyside in preference to joining other clubs.
Newcastle United had shown an interest earlier in the year and the likes of Bolton Wanderers had previously been linked with the front-man.
He will now have the chance to test himself in the Premier League after accepting the offer to join David Moyes' side following talks over the past few days.
The former Wealdstone forward has passed a medical with the Toffees and will now join up with his new club for pre-season training.
Beckford's arrival on Merseyside will help to boost Everton's attack which saw only Louis Saha reach double figures in the top flight last season.
Excited
Of his move, Beckford said: "I am excited by it. It's going to be a test, I know that, but I am looking forward to it.
"I want to test myself at the highest level and luckily for me, David Moyes showed an interest in me, showed some faith in me and hopefully I can repay that.
"I've been impressed a lot by him. He seems like the type of guy who will sit down and tell you where you're going wrong, what you're doing right and what you might need to work on."It is a club I can learn from and it can help me develop into a better player. Fingers crossed, I can be really involved in taking this club where it wants to be."
Toffees clinch Beckford deal
Striker signs four-year contract after leaving Leeds
Everton have confirmed the signing of Jermaine Beckford on a four-year contract following his departure from Leeds United.
Beckford had the remaining month of his Leeds deal cancelled last week in order to enable the 26-year-old to find a new club.
The striker, who scored 85 goals in 152 appearances for Leeds and played a key role in the club's promotion to the Championship, had long been linked with a move to Goodison Park.
Back in January, reports suggested that Beckford was ready to accept a free transfer move to Merseyside in preference to joining other clubs.
Newcastle United had shown an interest earlier in the year and the likes of Bolton Wanderers had previously been linked with the front-man.
He will now have the chance to test himself in the Premier League after accepting the offer to join David Moyes' side following talks over the past few days.
The former Wealdstone forward has passed a medical with the Toffees and will now join up with his new club for pre-season training.
Beckford's arrival on Merseyside will help to boost Everton's attack which saw only Louis Saha reach double figures in the top flight last season.
Excited
Of his move, Beckford said: "I am excited by it. It's going to be a test, I know that, but I am looking forward to it.
"I want to test myself at the highest level and luckily for me, David Moyes showed an interest in me, showed some faith in me and hopefully I can repay that.
"I've been impressed a lot by him. He seems like the type of guy who will sit down and tell you where you're going wrong, what you're doing right and what you might need to work on."It is a club I can learn from and it can help me develop into a better player. Fingers crossed, I can be really involved in taking this club where it wants to be."
