Sunday Fulham Stuff - 07/07/24...

[WhiteJC]

Results

Saturday 08/07
England	1-1	Switzerland
Netherlands	2-1	Turkey

England win 5-3 on pens

[WhiteJC]

Thank You, Bobby

Following the expiry of his contract at the end of last month, we can confirm that Bobby De Cordova-Reid has left the Club.

Since his arrival, initially on loan, at the start of the 2019/20 season, De Cordova-Reid has been a fantastic servant for Fulham, helping the Club to two promotions and then establishing ourselves in the top flight.

His consistency and versatility have been of huge value to the side over the last five years, and he departs with an impressive 50 goal involvements (32 goals, 18 assists) in his 209 appearances.

When asked if he had a message for the supporters, Bobby replied: "I want to thank the fans for welcoming me at the start and for supporting me throughout the five years – it's been a pleasure to play for you. We shared some great memories. And I'm forever grateful and forever Fulham 🖤."

After making his debut in a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers, De Cordova-Reid went on to feature 46 times for Fulham in his maiden campaign at Craven Cottage.

His loan from Cardiff City was made permanent midway through that season, a move that proved crucial as it allowed him to feature in every minute of our Play-Off Semi-Final against the Bluebirds, and he then also started in the Wembley victory over Brentford which followed.

De Cordova-Reid was our top scorer in the Premier League the following year, before helping us to another promotion, this time as Champions, in 2021/22. He ended that season with eight Championship goals to his name.

The subsequent two Premier League campaigns were much more prosperous under Marco Silva, with De Cordova-Reid a key component. He became a part of the Club's leadership group, captaining us for the first time last season in a 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

Off the pitch, the 31-year-old has been a wonderful ambassador for Fulham, always willing to participate in a range of Club and Foundation initiatives.

We would like to thank Bobby for his invaluable contributions over the last five years, and wish him well in his next chapter with Leicester City, whom we welcome to the Cottage for our first home game on Saturday 24th August.

https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2024/july/06/thank-you-bobby/

[WhiteJC]

Leicester City's first summer signing confirmed as free transfer snapped up
Attacker Bobby De Cordova-Reid joins on a free transfer from Fulham and becomes the first addition at the King Power Stadium under the club's new manager Steve Cooper

Leicester City have completed their first signing of the summer after confirming the arrival of Bobby De Cordova-Reid on a free transfer from Fulham.

The Jamaican attacker has signed a three-year deal at City to become the first addition under new boss Steve Cooper. After five years at Craven Cottage, including three in the top flight, he'll bring plenty of experience to the City squad as they prepare to return to the Premier League.

Praised for his dependability and knack of scoring key goals at Fulham, De Cordova-Reid gives Cooper a versatile option in attack. The 31-year-old can play out wide, in attacking midfield, or up front, while also spent a game or two at right-back last season.

Last term, he scored six goals and set up two more in 33 Premier League appearances. Based on his pitch-time, he averaged a goal contribution every 177 minutes.

Part of the player leadership group at Fulham, the Cottagers wanted to extend his stay and had offered him a two-year deal. Manager Marco Silva said in March: "Our ambition, and what we want, is to have (him) with us again next season."

But it seems City's three-year deal has trumped the contract offered by Fulham, and De Cordova-Reid will now move to the King Power Stadium. He won't join pre-season training when it starts on Monday though as he is being afforded extra time off having just returned from Copa America, where he played in two of Jamaica's three group-stage matches, which they lost to Mexico, Ecuador, and Venezuela.

De Cordova-Reid's arrival is set to be the first of a swathe of new faces arriving at City over the next week. The club are due to confirm the permanent arrival of Abdul Fatawu from Sporting Lisbon in a deal worth around £14m, while teenage midfielder Michael Golding is set to come in from Chelsea in a £5m switch. There have been widespread reports in Italy of a £13m agreement with Atalanta for centre-back Caleb Okoli.



https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/leicester-citys-first-summer-signing-9393423

[WhiteJC]

De Cordova-Reid leaves for Leicester
Bobby De Cordova-Reid has left Fulham after five years of service and signed for Leicester City on a free transfer, the club have confirmed this afternoon.

The 31 year-old made 209 appearances for the Whites, scoring 32 goals. He becomes Steve Cooper's first official signing at the King Power Stadium having rejected Fulham's offer of a new contract at Craven Cottage. De Cordova-Reid finished last season as Fulham's second top scorer – finding the net seven times in 41 appearances.

De Cordova-Reid's contribution to Fulham's recent revival under Marco Silva cannot, however, be measured in mere numbers alone. He was willing to deputise in a number of positions, including several times during the club's first season back in the top flight at right back. That epitomised his endeavour and commitment that made him a key part of two promotion-winning sides and his unassuming role as part of the squad's leadership group was arguably just as important.

Best of luck at Leicester, Bobby.



https://hammyend.com/index.php/2024/07/de-cordova-reid-leaves-for-leicester/

[WhiteJC]

'Deal done' - Fulham star quits club for Premier League rivals despite Leeds United links
The attacked has been offered a new deal at Fulham but has elected to move on.

Fulham forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid has completed a deal to join Premier League rivals Leicester City on a free transfer following his contract's expiry at the London club this summer.

The Cottagers had been keen to keep the 31-year-old with head coach Marco Silva confirming contract negotiations. However, the versatile forward has elected to seek a new challenge with the newly promoted Foxes.

It had been reported that De Cordova-Reid was undergoing a medical on Friday and Leicester City have now officially confirmed the move is completed. It is thought that Steve Cooper has played a key role in persuading the player to join after Leeds United and Everton had also been hotly linked with a move for the free agent.

The former Cardiff City man has racked up 209 appearances for Fulham since joining in 2020. He was a key squad player last season, featuring in 33 Premier League fixtures and bagging six league goals.

A Fulham club statement read: "We would like to thank Bobby for his invaluable contributions over the last five years, and wish him well in his next chapter with Leicester City, whom we welcome to the Cottage for our first home game on Saturday 24th August."

De Cordova-Reid added: "I want to thank the fans for welcoming me at the start and for supporting me throughout the five years – it's been a pleasure to play for you. We shared some great memories. And I'm forever grateful and forever Fulham."

Leicester City achieved promotion back to the Premier League on the first time of asking last season, winning the Championship under Enzo Maresca, who has since been appointed manager at Chelsea. Former Nottingham Forest boss Cooper was named as Maresca's successor on June 20.



https://www.londonworld.com/sport/football/fulham/deal-done-fulham-star-quits-club-for-premier-league-rivals-despite-leeds-united-links-4693279

[WhiteJC]

Fulham hopes over Bobby De Cordova-Reid return dashed as Leicester seal summer signing
The Cottagers had not given up hope of agreeing fresh contract terms with the Jamaican international

Bobby De Cordova-Reid has joined Leicester after leaving Fulham as a free agent this month.

The 31-year-old, who has just competed for Jamaica at the Copa America, has penned a three-year contract with the newly-promoted Foxes.

De Cordova-Reid joined Fulham initially on loan ahead of the 2019/20 season, and departed the club upon the expiry of his contract this month, after scoring 32 goals and registering 18 assists in 209 total appearances for the west London club.

Fulham had been willing to continue working on a potential new deal for De Cordova-Reid even after he became a free agent, but the forward rejected their offer and has instead joined Leicester, now managed by Steve Cooper.

Fulham finished 13th in the Premier League last season, while Leicester won the Championship with 97 points, pipping Ipswich to the title under Enzo Maresca, who has since departed for Chelsea.

"I want to thank the fans for welcoming me at the start and for supporting me throughout the five years — it's been a pleasure to play for you", De Cordova-Reid said. "We shared some great memories. And I'm forever grateful and forever Fulham."

De Cordova-Reid began his career at Bristol City and spent two seasons at Cardiff — one of them on loan at Fulham — before joining the Cottagers permanently in 2020.

Fulham are still yet to tie veteran winger Willian down to a new contract, after he too became a free agent this month. He is considering his options, with a number of Brazilian clubs interested in a short-term deal.

Willian, who turns 36 next month, has said he is only willing to sign one-year contracts this late in his career.



https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/bobby-decordova-reid-leicester-fulham-fc-b1169140.html

[WhiteJC]

Bobby De Cordova-Reid rejects Everton to pen contract with Leicester City after Fulham exit
Everton tabled a contract offer for Bobby De Cordova-Reid after he left Fulham on a free transfer, according to Graeme Bailey.

Writing on his personal X account (5 July), the journalist reports that the Jamaica international had a host of offers on the table including from Fulham and the Toffees before agreeing to sign for Leicester City instead.

His move to the King Power Stadium has now been confirmed, with the 31-year-old penning a three-year deal with the newly promoted side.

Everton want to strengthen attack for Sean Dyche
After re-signing Jack Harrison on loan for the upcoming season and completing a deal to sign Iliman Ndiaye from Marseille, it's clear that Sean Dyche wants better options in attack.

Dwight McNeil is the starting winger on the left when everyone is fit, but after Arnaut Danjuma was allowed to move on after his loan deal expired the team is short on depth.

Decordova-Reid is a player who knows the Premier League well after spending several years with Fulham and his hard-working style would fit right in with the way Dyche sets up his teams.

However, it's clear that regular first-team football would be the priority for the player and he instead chose to move to a club where he's far more likely to start.

It's a blow to the team unfortunately because they won't have made an offer if they didn't think he could offer something, but now they must adapt and adjust to get someone else in instead.



https://www.goodisonnews.com/2024/07/06/bobby-de-cordova-reid-rejects-everton-to-pen-contract-with-leicester-city-after-fulham-exit/

[WhiteJC]

Leicester confirm the signing of Bobby De Cordova-Reid after his departure from Fulham - as forward signs three-year-deal at the King Power Stadium

    Leicester have confirmed the free signing of forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid
    The 31-year-old has put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the King Power

Leicester City have confirmed the signing of free agent Bobby De Cordova-Reid, formerly of Fulham.

Jamaica international De Cordova-Reid turned down a new contract from Fulham and has now put pen to paper on a three-year deal at the King Power Stadium.

Speaking to the club website, De Cordova-Reid said: 'Turning up here was a special moment, looking around and seeing the infrastructure.

'It's got that wow factor. It feels nice. I'm delighted to be here and I can't wait to get going.

'I had a good chat with the manager, he told me the vision of the club. I spoke to him a few times and he was very clear in what he wanted and what he saw in me. He believes in me and it's a perfect fit for me.'


Leicester City have confirmed the free signing of forward Bobby De Cordova-Reid
 

The Jamaica international turned down a new deal at Craven Cottage in favour of a move

The 31-year-old joined Fulham on loan in 2019 before eventually joining on a permanent deal the following season.

Overall, he made 183 appearances for the Cottagers and scored 28 goals - with seven of those coming in the most recent campaign.

He's also had spells at Bristol City and Cardiff City - as well as loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Oldham Athletic and Plymouth Argyle.

De Cordova-Reid becomes Steve Cooper's first signing as Leicester boss, after his appointment as first-team coach at the end of last month. 

The Foxes boss is also keen to bring in Callum O'Hare who just left Coventry City and was part of their squad that reached the FA Cup semi final last season.

The 26-year old attacking midfielder scored 10 goals last season as his side fell short of the play-off positions.

Leeds United have shown interest but the prospect of playing in the Premier League will obviously appeal.

Leicester are also looking to close a deal for Atalanta centre back Caleb Okoli and the permanent signing of Abdul Fatawu who has been on loan from Sporting Lisbon.



https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-13607325/Leicester-confirm-Bobby-Cordova-Reid-Fulham.html

[filham]

No doubt that Leicester have a bargain signing in BDR, his skill and work rate were beyond question and he served us well over a long period.
He new how to miss a half chance but look out for him scoring when we play Liecester.

[Bill2]

No doubt that Leicester have a bargain signing in BDR, his skill and work rate were beyond question and he served us well over a long period.
He new how to miss a half chance but look out for him scoring when we play Liecester.

He was becoming more of a fringe player as time went on, although he could fill a number of positions he was never going to be a first choice starter. Good luck to him at Leicester.

[hovewhite]

No doubt that Leicester have a bargain signing in BDR, his skill and work rate were beyond question and he served us well over a long period.
He new how to miss a half chance but look out for him scoring when we play Liecester.

we won't have long to wait.