Fulham striker Jay Stansfield had looked destined to join Sunderland last week, but instead opted for the Blues
Jay Stansfield has hinted that geography played a part in his decision to pick a loan move to Birmingham City over a switch to Sunderland. The Fulham striker had looked set to join the Black Cats on loan, with boss Tony Mowbray admitting yesterday he had thought the deal had been done at the end of last week.
But instead England U20 international Stansfield signed a new four-year contract at Craven Cottage before opting to join the Blues on a season-long deal. And in an interview with Birmingham’s official website, Stansfield said that the desire to stay closer to home was a factor in his decision.
“I spoke to the gaffer [Birmingham boss John Eustace] and what he drills into the team and the way he likes to play suits me massively,” said Stansfield. “Being in the middle of the country is close to London, close to home. I am quite a big family man and I like having my family around me, so it is perfect for them to be able to come up and watch the games and for me to be able to go home and see them still.
Sunderland boss Tony Mowbray has a decision to make when reinforcements eventually arrive
“I hope to develop into a better player. [I hope to] become stronger and be able to keep up with the physical demands of the game, but also to come here and help the Blues do as well as they can do, finish as high in the table as possible.
“I want to get as many goals and assists as possible.”
Birmingham said they had beaten off competition from around a dozen clubs to land Stansfield. “I am buzzing,” said the frontman.
“It has been a long time coming. I have been in contact with a lot of people in the last three or four weeks and I made the decision to come here.
“It is a very family club and I can’t wait to get started. I think this is a big club and a club that is going on the up.
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