At last some good news... we have made a signing and although knowing nothing about the young lad I know he is a defender, English, only 24 years old, won't be on ridiculous wages and appears a minimal fee. I have been on the Motherwell forums and they all seem to rate him massively are disappointed to lose him but all wishing him well! the one phrase that popped up a couple of times which caught my eye was " Has run through numerous brick walls for our club giving nothing less than 100%" not sure if it was lasts years lack of fight but I liked the sound of that. Like I mentioned in other threads I don't think we need to much in Midfield or upfront but we do need a whole new defence hopefully this is the first of three or four
He was out of contract, but there seems little doubt Motherwell wanted to keep him. However, he wanted a new challenge and apparently that is us. He's 23 and was named in the Scottish PFA team of the year in 2013. He's started for three years for Motherwell, and played in UEFA Champions League qualifiers and the Europa League. It seems like something of a low risk signing, with the potential for a high upside. Hutchinson said: “It was a difficult decision to leave Motherwell and I had to really think hard about it. It has been a fantastic apprenticeship for me and I am very appreciative of what everyone at the club has done. The fans have also been brilliant and I want to personally thank them for their support. However, this is a great opportunity at Fulham and I can’t wait to get started.”
By the way it is Shaun Hutchinson not Sam.... No idea why I put Sam must have been the excitement of signing somebody
Well, Sam Hutchinson is also available after leaving Chelsea. Right footed defender, with an excellent work ethic. Could do worse! But anyway, yes - Shaun not Sam!
It's Shaun Hutchinson. There is a Sam Hutchinson who plays in a similar position and was on loan from Chelsea at Sheffield Wednesday last season, but this seems to be the lad we've signed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_Hutchinson Here's a news story confirming it:http://www.news.nom.co/fulham-sign-hutchinson-9973593-news/ Nothing on the official club site yet, or on the BBC as far as I can see. Inasmuch as it's possible to have a view on a player I had never heard of until five minutes ago, this sounds like a good signing - young, but not inexperienced, and from what Cookie says above it sounds like he's got the right attitude. If he's right sided, to complement Burn or Amorebieta then he could be an excellent signing.
Wondered why we were playing Motherwell in a pre-season friendly. Any decent East Fife players? Here's 'Our Shaun' scoring with a stooping header against Aberdeen recently: [video=youtube;D2IBmECQm9A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D2IBmECQm9A[/video]
Official - he's signed a two year contract, with the option of a further year. please log in to view this image Link to pic: http://www.fulhamfc.com/-/media/PlayerActionShots/2013-14/Shaun Hutchinson/Hutch300.jpg
I must admit I'd never heard of him but the little bit of information we do have suggests he fits the bill perfectly. Felix said he only wants players who will give their all for the club. It sounds like this lad will do exactly that. He ticks all the boxes: Defender, Right Sided, Young, Hungry. I'm happy with this signing.
I agree with all the above... We need players who believe they can achieve things playing for Fulham, i.e. promotion and PL football.
