Saints sign Palace defender Powell
Last updated : 01 July 2005 By Chris C
There are question marks over why we are signing a player released by Championship rivals Palace, particularly as it was former Saint Fitz Hall who kept him out of the Palace line up after our short-sighted decision to sell him.
However, he was once voted Palace’s player of the season, scoring the last minute goal that kept them in the play-off final against Sunderland, and should be a valuable addition at Championship level. His age and height are good at 29 and 6’4 respectively and Saints fans will be hoping that he can bring much needed aggression and leadership to Saints’ leaky defence.
He has clearly mastered the usual footballer's trick of making all the right noises without actually saying very much of note: “I have joined a massive club and I believe Southampton have a great chance of winning promotion — I would not have come here if I did not think they have a big opportunity of getting back to the Premiership.
“Hopefully I can bring a bit of leadership and passion to the side. Harry Redknapp was a big factor in my decision to come here. He is a great manager with a terrific track record and it will be an honour to work with him.”
Welcome to Saints, Darren.
There is also positive news that the sorely missed Michael Svensson is at last making decent progress in his recovery from a knee injury sustained 16 months ago. He has finally graduated to ball work and although he is unlikely to be fit for the start of the season, we should be seeing Killer back in red and white later this year.
