Monday, September 6th, 2010
Liverpool has officially made their 3rd summer signing (after Joe Cole and Milan Jovanovic) with defender Danny Wilson set to join the Reds in a £5m deal.
Danny Wilson, who won the Scottish Football Association Young Player of the Year Award, was a revelation in the Rangers back four last season after manager Walter Smith pitched the youngster into action due to question marks over the fitness of regular defender Madjid Bougherra. Wilson acquitted himself so well that he established himself as a starter and the Reds have acted quickly to snap up his potential.
The centre-back will need to go through his medical and will meet his new team mates at their Switzerland pre-season training camp.
The defender had one year left on his current contract with the Scottish champions and with Wilson eager to move abroad, Rangers had little choice but to listen to the best offers for the player. It is understood that the deal will include an initial fee of £2 million, with the payments rising to £5 million depending on appearances.
The departure of Wilson would leave Rangers having bade farewell to 7 regulars from last season’s SPL title winning squad and fans are reportedly furious with the developments.
“We have agreed a deal in principle with Liverpool for the transfer of Danny Wilson,” said Rangers chief executive Martin Bain.
“Liverpool’s offer will see the club receive £2 million up front with add-ons linked to games played taking the total value of the deal to £5 million.
“Danny was entering the final year of his contract with the club and had indicated that he felt it was in his interests to move on.
“Given that and the value of the offer from Liverpool it was deemed appropriate to accept that offer given the player wanted to go.
“We are aware that with Kevin Thomson and Danny leaving the club in the last week that there is a need to add to the first team squad.”
Liverpool also confirmed the deal on the club’s official site: “Liverpool Football Club have this evening confirmed they have agreed a deal in principle for the transfer of Danny Wilson.”
Wilson made 14 SPL appearances for Rangers last season, scoring his only goal of the season away to Hearts on March 27.
Tags: Danny Wilson, EPL news, Liverpool, Rangers, transfer rumours