Million Pound Martin Completes United Move


New Arrival

By Chris O'Brien
December 22 2003

Manchester United have completed the signing of Wimbledon youngster Lee Martin for a fee which could rise to £1million. Sir Alex Ferguson has paid an initial price of £200,000 for the 16-year-old, in a move that will ease the financial crisis the Dons are currently suffering. New Page 1

Million Pound Martin Signs for United
Manchester United have completed the signing of Wimbledon youngster for a sum of £1,000,000.

United have been tracking the 16-year-old for a couple of months now, and came close to confirming the signing of the midfielder a few weeks ago. However complications have meant Martin has had to wait to complete his move to Old Trafford.

Wimbledon will initially receive £200,000 for the transfer, and the fee will gradually rise depending on Martin's success as a Red Devil. The money will come as a massive boost to the Dons, who are currently in administration. Their controversial move to new home Milton Keynes has had a mixed start, and they currently lay bottom of the First Division despite showing some signs of progress since leaving Selhurst Park.

The £200,000 could be the first step towards leaving administration for Wimbledon, and may mean they do not have to sell their bigger name players such as Reo-Cocke and McAnuff come the January transfer window.

Bright prospect Martin was first spotted by Sir Alex Ferguson playing for the Wimbledon youth side, and the United boss has fought off competition from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur to sign the teenager. Martin is expected to start playing at Under-17 and Under-19 levels for United, before making some appearances for the reserve side. However, it may be a couple of seasons before Martin is ready to be introduced into the first-team squad.

Contact the Author

Bookmark or share this story with:

 

StreamFootball - Manchester United