Wednesday 29th August 2012, 12:15PM BST. Steven Fletcher: I was sad to leave: Former Wolves striker Steven Fletcher today admitted his disappointment at leaving Molineux after signing for Sunderland. The 25-year-old made his debut for the Black Cats in last nightâs 2-0 Capital One Cup victory over Morecambe after Wolves finally agreed to sell him for an initial £12m rising to £14m following a summer-long pursuit. The former Burnley and Hibernian hitman is delighted to have won a return to the Premier League, but looks back on his time at Molineux with fondness despite suffering a second relegation in three seasons â he also went down with the Clarets in 2009-10. Fletcher scored 24 goals in 68 games for Wolves, 22 of which came in just 41 Premier League starts, before he submitted a transfer request earlier this month. But asked if he was sad to leave, he said: âI was. I enjoyed every minute I was at Wolves. The boys were fantastic, and the staff and the fans, so it was a bit disappointing. But Iâve moved on now and Iâm looking forward to playing here.â Fletcher, whose move more than doubled Wolvesâ previous record sale â Robbie Keaneâs £6m switch to Coventry in 1999 â admitted he feared at one point that the deal wouldnât go through, before his wish was finally granted on Friday. He said: âIt took its time. Bids were rejected and I was sitting there thinking it was never going to happen. âI think Iâve had it too easy in the past. Up until now, itâs just kind of happened and itâs me who has been called and told âYouâve been soldâ. âFor it to drag on for so long was little a bit frustrating, but Iâm happy to be here now.â Sunderland boss Martin OâNeill snapped up the Scot just hours before also landing England winger Adam Johnson. Fletcher revealed the former Villa chief didnât have to work hard to persuade him his future lay at the Stadium of Light. He said: âWhen you speak to the gaffer, you walk away feeling like a million dollars, so Iâm looking forward to working under him.â
I for one am delighted to have signed the lad and he will prove to be a masterstroke signing imo by the end of this season.
Didn't see the match yesterday. Just seen both goals. Did Fletcher come off injured? My mate said he played the full 90 but I bumped into him last night and he was limping badly. Didn't speak as he had company. Just wondering if he is a doubt for the weekend.
