Shay Given is set to join Middlesbrough on a free transfer after Middlesbrough made a move for the experience Irish keeper. This comes as a bit of a shock since many fans believed that it would be Brad Guzan that would be shown the exit door, but recent reports claim that Guzan might be back in favour next season.
Given was Villa’s first team keeper towards the end of last season filling in for Guzan since the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City. Given did spend time on loan at Middlesbrough two seasons ago where he had a successful loan spell.
This will allow Sherwood to target a new goalkeeper with David Button and Tom Heaton remaining high priority targets after Stoke rejected Villa’s £4 million bid for Begovic in late June. Additionally, Given was on a high wage of roughly £50,000 a week, this will give Sherwood more wage money to spend on new targets as well.
This is a transfer that most Villa fans can get behind, it’s neither good or bad, it’s a transfer where many Villa fans will be ok. Given was signed by McLeish on a 5-year contract and has spent 4 years at Villa, 3 of those Given played as second fiddle to Guzan. Nonetheless, Given did have a superb first season, also played a role as assistant manager to Paul Lambert in the 2013-14 season and his experience did benefit the likes of Guzan, Steer and Siegrist.
Good luck to Shay; never had an issue with him. If Villa were daft enough to sign him for 5 years at a high wage then he’s not going to turn it down.
Good luck to shay,I wish him the best.
As you’ve said Hitch high wager earner off the books, been a good keeper I wish him luck, hope I’ll hear soon about sale of Villa off on hols soon and across the waters, will wear my colours with pride.
MATE not the yellow & black one I hope.
Good luck to him great professional he also took a wage cut to join us did not want to warm the bench at city.
A good keeper when he was at his peak, and by most accounts a decent bloke, so wish him well.
But realistically his peak was a good few years ago, and if his departure allows someone younger/hungrier to come to Villa then it’s win-win for all concerned.
From what I can see so far, it does look to me as if Sherwood is determined to be surrounded by players who want to ‘play’ – rather than ones who are content to just be paid a small fortune for being ‘in the squad’ but only getting a few first-team games each season.
Given obviously wants to be #1. Given the bid for Begovic it seems Worzel is not happy with his keeping options. Will be hard to find a keeper as good as Given!! Good luck to him at Boro.
good luck to him . i think he had to leave as he wants to keep playing for the republic of ireland and needs first team football to stay as ireland number one.
Best of luck Shay.
Helped us stay up when Guzan’s confidence had gone. Made some vital saves for us.
Hope this means that Tim is well on the way to signing another keeper
All the best Shay, Hopefully Delph won’t be to far behind you through the exit door!
Ever the professional, let it be through playing or coaching, but I couldn’t be more thrilled to get his wages off the books. I wish him luck and I hope playing a full season will help him find some sort of form. I would say he definitely owes Sherwood a bit of thanks for giving him a chance, because under Lambert Given look all but ready to retire into a coaching role.
Given to Stoke!!!
What happened there?
I’d guess that it means that Begovic is that much closer to leaving Stoke?
[or perhaps Given just didn’t fancy moving house all the way up North…]
Sorry here’s the story
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/shay-given-stoke-city-boro-9615770
So does this mean we could even get a small fee for given? Fantastic if we could make a few quid and off load the wage
No we give him a free to join Middlesbrough so im guessing as a free agent he can join anyone who will have him and we don’t get a penny. but we do save a bloody fortune in wages. so its still a good deal for us.
Realistically I didn’t think that Given would’ve been sold for money because I don’t think many clubs would be alright with offering a transfer fee and wages for a keeper who is 39!
It’s a good deal for everyone involved.
The story actually says that Villa cancelled the last year of his contract [by mutual consent] – to leave him a free agent, so no fee.
Marseille owner calling Villa a small club, says Gueye only chose us over them as a springboard onto better clubs. Well, he certainly sounds bitter about missing out on Gueye.
The quotes I read, he didn’t actually call Villa a small club.
He was referring more to West Ham and another Prem club I can’t remember.
Either way, it makes no odds really, as sadly if you’re not in the CL, you are a small club, these days.
Liverpool arnt in CL and still regarded as big club
Probably true we are a stepping stone club these days no doubt about it
And so are Liverpool, with Suarez leaving last year and Sterling this year. Then of course there’s Man U, De Gea off to Madrid. You could probably only name a handful of clubs that aren’t selling clubs really. That in itself is not Villa’s problem. The lack of success, and reliance on one or two players, plus not replacing them is the real issue I think.
He has a point though, isn’t that what players do? How many players have left us or better clubs?
I am intrigued by the Stoke move for Given. There he would be expected to mentor Buckland, and probably play 2nd fiddle. Begovic is obviously going, but where? Chelsea usually play the transfer game in the full glare of publicity, so it seems they haven’t yet convinced Begovic he will get enough of the games that matter as #2 to Courtois. I hope he is still considering a move to Villa and we pay what’s needed to get him. I don’t take a lot of notice of Guzan’s form for the US team because international football is worse than EPL standard outside the top eight nations.
Mark Bunn….wow…what a signing! #Ambition
Presumably a back-up to Guzan???
Is Guzan in Sherwoods plans? I wouldn’t be surprised if he was back up to Steer or even our new number 1!!
From begovic to now bunn,WHO????I suppose he’s a freebie possibly the incentive to sign him.
It’s the same crap every season Giddy. We get linked to all these decent players and end up signing Shit. Probably got him for 50k a week less I imagine.
B6 my thoughts exactly MATE,like I previously posted the club seemed to be looking for a decent proven goalkeeper when actually they were looking for the total opposite & paying FUCKall.groundhog day springs to mind.
Or then again we will probably end up signing Begovic and selling Guzan!
Not a hope VILLA wouldn’t pay stokes asking price,we’ll just canter along bringing in freebies.the GUEYE deals gone quiet getting a work permit takes this long?????hmmmmm
leaked all over the press we are interested in a £10m keeper – then we actually sign someone on a free – how bloody predictable.
Just have a feeling that this isn’t Villa’s last move as far as ‘keepers are concerned this window…
Saddened yes MATE not only predictable but embarrassing,guaranteed alot more smaller clubs will be spending decent money on players.