Club Issue McSheffrey Statement
Last updated : 16 August 2006 By CCFC
Coventry City have issued the following statement: The Board of Coventry City today announced that Gary McSheffrey has joined Birmingham City in a deal valued at £4million.
The Sky Blues received a fifth bid for the striker yesterday, which the Club has reluctantly decided to accept. He passed a medical at St Andrew's last night, before putting pen to paper on a four-year deal this morning, with an option for a further two years. A product of Coventry City's youth Academy, McSheffrey became the Premiership's youngest player when he made his debut as a 16-year-old against Aston Villa in 1999.
Since then, the 24-year-old has gone on to make 162 appearances for the Sky Blues in all competitions. Managing Director Paul Fletcher believes this was the most difficult decision the Board has had to make for a number of years.
"It was never our intention to let Gary McSheffrey go but we have made a decision which we believe is in the best interests of Coventry City Football Club, having discussed the latest offer with the Board, manager and the player himself. "Gary has been a tremendous servant to this football club but there comes a time in everyone's career when they have an opportunity to move on.
"Although I understand that this decision will be unpopular with many of our supporters, I would urge all of our fans to look long-term towards our goal of reaching the Premiership within the next three years. We are still totally committed towards that objective. "This money will help Micky Adams to strengthen the squad and create a better team to get us there."
