By Chris O'Brien
August 15 2003
The Bluebirds have completed their third summer signing, with Alan Lee joining from Rotherham United. The 25-year-old Irish Under-21 international moves to Ninian Park for an initial fee of £850,000, which is subject to rise depending on appearances.
| Alan Lee Signs for City |
| Former Rotherham United striker Alan
Lee has completed his move to Ninian Park. The 25-year-old is expected to be named in Saturday's starting line-up against Bradford City, following his £850,000 move from the Yorkshire club. This fee is subject to rise, depending on the number of appearances that Lee makes in a Cardiff City shirt. Lee was the top scorer at Milmoor last season, and has been capped at Under-21 level for the Republic of Ireland, but his international ambitions do not end there. "Cardiff have a few Irish players, and I'm hoping the move will get me in contention for a place in the Ireland squad." said an enthusiastic Alan Lee, following the completion of his move to South Wales. The striker has been linked with a move to Cardiff City for several months, but Rotherham have stood firm since Lennie Lawrence made the initial £850,000 bid, demanding a rise in the offer. United boss Ronnie Moore had little choice to except the bid though, following Lee handing in a transfer request after Rotherham's 2-1 Carling League Cup victory over York City, which was reluctantly accepted by the club's directors. Lee had been offered a new contract by the Millers during the Summer, but he rejected the offer, and with his current deal set to expire in June Rotherham had little choice but to cash in on their star player. City boss Lennie Lawrence is delighted with the signing, especially following the collapse of the Tomasz Klos deal recently. "He's an excellent striker, and I am so pleased we have got him." said Lawrence. "We have been trying to sign him for several weeks, and it's a relief to have the deal confirmed." The signing intensifies the competition over the striker slots at Ninian Park. Robert Earnshaw, Andy Campbell, Gavin Gordon and Peter Thorne have all been battling it out for a place in the regular starting line-up, and with the addition of Lee to the squad, Lennie Lawrence will face a tough task to select his forward line, particularly if he continues with the 4-4-2 formation. The transfer has smashed Rotherham's record received fee, with the previous being the £325,000 sale of Matt Clarke to rivals Sheffield Wednesday in 1996. Welcome to Ninian Park! |
