Former Maidstone United defender Chris Smalling has described his dream transfer to Manchester United as an “unbelievable opportunity”.
The 20-year-old defender has made a meteoric rise from non-league football with Maidstone United to Premier League champions Manchester United in less than two years, after completing his transfer this week.
Smalling told his new club's website: “My time at Fulham has been great and I have learned a lot about the game from Roy Hodgson and the coaching staff. But the chance of coming to the biggest club in the world is something I just couldn’t turn down. I’m excited about working with Sir Alex and the fantastic players in the squad.
“I’ve played a few times in the Europa League this year, but the thought of making the step up to the Champions League next year is great. I can’t wait.”
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed he had been monitoring the defender’s progress for some time before he tabled a bid to Fulham believed to be around £8 million.
He told the club website: "Chris is an extremely talented young defender. He’s very quick and reads the game well. He will be a great asset to the club, playing alongside some of the best defenders around and we’re delighted to have secured his signature.”
Smalling, a former Chatham Grammar Schoolboy joined Fulham in May 2008 after coming through the youth ranks at Ryman Premier League Maidstone United. While at Maidstone he made 12 first team appearances before he was spotted by Fulham playing for England Schoolboys.
The defender made rapid progress at Fulham, initially captained the reserves, before he broke into the first team. He has made four Premier League appearances, including his first start in a 2-1 defeat against Chelsea last month. He has also been one of Hodgson’s first choice defenders in Fulham’s Europa League campaign.
The move to Premier League giants Mancheter United this week has confirmed Smalling is one of the hottest prospects in the English game and he is looking forward to impressing at Old Trafford. He will stay at Fulham for the remainder of the season, before joining up with United in the summer.
POSTED: 29/01/2010 12:28:42
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