Wolves sign centre back

Wednesday 25th June 2008, 11:15AM BST.

wd2883812stearman-2-la-25.jpgWolves today completed the signing of Leicester centre-half Richard Stearman.

The 20-year-old has signed a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Stearman, who was born in Wolverhampton, was Leicester’s player of the season last year.


  1. 1
    shatpankwolves

    FANTASTIC SIGNING!!!

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  2. 2
    JohnnoWolf

    good signing!
    he did pretty well last season and seems like the sort of player that would link up well with edwards

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  3. 3
    Olliec

    good signing

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  4. 4
    brett

    Centre Half, HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORAY

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  5. 5
    Loyal-Cannock-Wolf

    Where did this come from??

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  6. 6
    phes-wolf (homless)

    Quality move ….. i have a friend who works at the Villa who tells me that they’ve had scouts watching him for a good dozen games.

    From what i know he’s quick and likes a tackle!

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  7. 7
    Penn Fields

    Brilliant news! A yound and hungry centre back that was attracting the attention of premier league clubs! Great move for wolves! Well done MM & Jez!!

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  8. 8
    Sedgley Wolf

    great signing finally a CB get berra in aswell then the defence is sorted

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  9. 9
    Fan_Rich_Wolves

    At last a defender!! lets get another now..

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  10. 10
    mike

    good signing,leicester actually had one of the best defensive records in the league last year, they just could not score, i was thought he was a good player when he played against us.

    big lad for 20 as well!!

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  11. 11
    Filtonwolf (Bristol)

    Wow !! Where did this come from ? Does anybody know anything about him ? Let’s get this backed up with the signing of Berra and we’re quids in at the back. A ‘hard man’ in midfield and a target man up front (if necessary)and we’re sorted. Bring it on !!

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  12. 12
    wolvesmod

    Well done Mick and Jez. Really looking forward to the season now.

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  13. 13
    raffo

    wat a signig well pleased with this one and were did this come from come on, get berra now and we am laughing

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  14. 14
    Lycanthropist

    Brilliant signing and home grown as well.

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  15. 15
    rowley,wolves

    i’m a nugget,through & through,but i have to admit it is a great signing.

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  16. 16
    trurowolf

    excellent – really highly rated player . Just a thought though – if we get Berra , Jones and potentially another young forward – where does that leave room for the “experienced players” we are looking to sign.

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  17. 17
    Dublin Wolves

    What a signing, Berra and Jones now please!! :) Well done to MM and Jez, but hey I am sure Bridget and Tony will still have something to moan about!

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  18. 18
    tony lewis

    fantastic, roll on august 9th…

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  19. 19
    Spirite Wolf

    Good news about Kites, this lad seems ok dont know a lot about him but at least it’s in the right position.
    Desperately need a QUALITY cental midfielder or 2. Not bothered about age just needs pedigree.

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  20. 20
    shatpankwolves

    not on wolves site though??? nor leicester (just checked lol)

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  21. 21
    lee craddock

    thank god, a signing, instead of the daily eastwood saga that the poor people employed to print the express and star must be on the brink of breakdown over. furthermore, he’s not a forward. young, and plays centre half, which were crying out for. i would say more, but in all honesty i dont know alot about him. i could either be really negative, and say “why do we want a centre half from a club who have gone down” or be really positive and say “well he won his respective clubs player of the year”. ill opt for the latter, after reading the comments on the stories on here, we could use some optemistic vibes around the place. im only 21, but i get the feeling my choice to follow wolves means for the rest of my life all im gonna get is near misses and constant moaning from other fans, instead of looking at the good points…

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  22. 22
    Avid Wolf

    That one was a bit out of the blue, but none the less looks a v good buy. I work with someone who is a leicester season ticket holder (unlucky), who reckons he is v good and will be a good signing for us, and like 8. says get Berra and the defence is just about sorted, although I would like us to get someone else, you know just in case of injuries and suspensions.

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  23. 23
    Southbank S5

    Very good signing from out of the blue!!

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  24. 24
    Caribbean Wolves

    Brilliant!!! Juices flowing

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  25. 25
    kev

    who?????????? never heard of him

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  26. 26
    HowfenWolf

    Positive move by the club. The lads going to be a quality defender. Excellent news along with the new Kightly deal

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  27. 27
    EranuWolf

    Out of the blue !!!

    6. You might want to rephrase your last sentence !!! :o)

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  28. 28
    wozdale

    YIPPEE DEFENDER SOME ONE PINCH ME……he aint a midfeilder in disguise is he?

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  29. 29
    wozdale

    YIPPEE DEFENDER SOME ONE PINCH ME……he aint a midfeilder or a striker in disguise is he?

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  30. 30
    Armitage Cow

    By all accounts he’s a liability according to a mate of mine who is a season ticket holder at Leicester.

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  31. 31
    E11 Wolf

    Mick is doing the businness…

    Good old Moxey – young and hungry and it means that leicester are more likely to stay in League (1) which is good for football. their display against us at their place was laughable.

    HOWEVER HERE IS THE BAD NEWS

    All the whingers and moaners and anti mick/Moxey brigade won’t have anything to complain about for a day. Sorry lads but maybe this is a good time to offer the management some congratulations. this guy could be a very very good signing.

    Yipppeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

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  32. 32
    Wednesbury_Albion

    Fantastic signing for you lot, although I thought he was more of a right back? Still, good signing that I would have been very happy with for the Albion.

    Premiership Black Country Derby 2010/11, you heard it here first!

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  33. 33
    wickford wolf

    england u-21 aswell , nice one

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  34. 34
    Armitage Cow

    I know what you’re saying Lee Craddock 21 I feel exactly the same as you it can get a bit depressing at times mate

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  35. 35
    Kent Wolf

    And he’s only 20!

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  36. 36
    jerseywolves

    Brilliant news,younge and in the right position,Up the Wolves.

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  37. 37
    No ifs or buts

    It just goes to prove how good the negotiating is at Molineux. This is a really good player and will be very successful.

    Ignore the rumours wait for the truth.

    Well done the 3 M’s

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  38. 38
    S*U*P*E*R

    Oh dear…what are we going to moan about now? We’ve signed a defender!

    Seriously, great signing, and yet further proof that the management DO know where we need to strengthen.

    All you idiots on here who slate MM & JM for not going after central defenders can shut up now. How on earth do you know who we’re trying to sign? It’s well known that Wolves hardly ever make their transfer targers public…fair play to Moxey!

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  39. 39
    wolveswolves

    Well after 2 years finally we get a center half in, hopefully we won’t have to wait another 2 years for another.

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  40. 40
    Hold tight...

    Plenty more to come yet.
    Kiwiwolffffffffffffff

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  41. 41
    Truth

    Perhaps people will realise now that Mick is probably not as MAD as people think! The fact he hasn’t advertised the fact he was after this guy has helped us get him without starting some sort of bidding war. Now sit down , be patient and let the bloke get on with his job without shouting who he’s after from the rooftops !!!

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  42. 42
    BigGeorgeTheGreat

    Not kidding. Possible the best signing McCarthy has produced. This kid is one for the future.

    Matt Dawson like player. Future England international and a defender to boot.

    Now get Berra, Gravesen and McClean and I’ll be happy.

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  43. 43
    Cheltenham Wolf

    Boo. Humbug. What’s his contract like.

    Only joking. Well done wolves.

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  44. 44
    Southbank S5

    30 – A liability who was player of the season….does ya mate have a white stick.

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  45. 45
    joe

    one minute your slating MM n Jez but now ur playin happy families. Other than that good signing. up the wolves

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  46. 46
    adam tranter

    is this transfer real? no news any where else??

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  47. 47
    ShifnalWolves

    Fee was £1.6m from someone I know closely connected to Stearman. He was signing for Villa last Jan but Holloway pulled the plug and he is a great defender, fast and reads the game well

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  48. 48
    Wolfie

    Seems to be all good new today!

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  49. 49
    Rugby Wolf

    Just shows that you should not listen to rumours. Jez & Mick are doing the deals and not announcing until completed. Lets just wait until deals are sorted and not comment on names that are being banged out by agents etc.

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  50. 50
    Steve bull stand

    Central defence was our number one need this summer so great to hear we have got someone. Hope he is more like Lescott than like Collins!

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  51. 51
    Cheltenham Wolf

    47. Rubbish. He signed for Wolves cause he’s a die hard wolves fan and doesn’t care about the money…

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  52. 52
    shatpankwolves

    47. cant believe it was 1.6m he was out of contract and we could of took it to a tribunal, but we didnt i reckon about 800k. we did that with jarvis last summer

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  53. 53
    Steve bull stand

    Leicester City website confirms the transfer. He has played for England at under 18, 19 and 21.

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  54. 54
    S*U*P*E*R

    51. He’s not a Wolves fan at all, he’s a life-long Leicester fan.

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  55. 55
    Solentwolves

    It is confirmed on the Leicester City web site. They have let him go with great reluctance.

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  56. 56
    LIG

    E11 – big lad? will there be enough room on the bench for him?

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  57. 57
    NorthBank BarmyArmy

    a Cb omg its about time aint it get bera and then the defence is done then just to work on the MID and we are sorted and ready for 2008,2009 season

    Barmy Army

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  58. 58
    adi baker

    great signing, talented lad, quick and strong, right age, well done wolves

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  59. 59
    Paddy

    Great signing, really highly rated. Credit where it’s due to MM, JM and Steve Morgan. They’ve identified some good young targets and gone for them. I had no doubt that we’d bring in at least one good centre back this summer. Foley, Craddock, Stearman, Elokobi sounds like a pretty solid back four already. Would be great to see another centre back though as there’s a few leaving. A good day for Wolves fans none-the-less.

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  60. 60
    wolves ay we

    good signing a local lad like henry with great potential, lets get berra now & were getting there.

    great signing now lets get behind mick & the lads if you like it or not micks staying so stop all the negativity lads.

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  61. 61
    optimistic wolf

    Played 130 games for Leics,scoring 11 goals.He’s another young and hungry emerging talent.All we need now is a young and hungry manager and chief executive.

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  62. 62
    pip

    great signing under 21 international,player of the year at leic last year.

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  63. 63
    ShifnalWolves

    51 and 52, never did I say he moved because of money, i just stated the transfer fee which i was told of by his cousin! Think he would know more about the transfer than any of us on here so check your facts before having a go at me!

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  64. 64
    wolfhound

    Didnt see that one coming ,thank you God

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  65. 65
    Worcester Wolves

    I too heard that the Villa were after this chap. Top marks to MMc and JM for this!

    Now go and find a 20-year-old Gazza please :-)

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  66. 66
    WetWolf

    I know Jez gets some stick but just look at how often we make signings with not a sniff in the press: Jarvis, Foley, SEB, this guy.
    We should all take our hats off to him for doing a great job behind the scenes. Takes a lot in this day and age to complete deals without the press knowing.
    Let’s get Berra in too and we should be starting from a much better base than last season!

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  67. 67
    ShifnalWolves

    And again 52, he had 1 year left of his contract so once again, get your facts right first before sayng someone else is wrong who knows people close to him

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  68. 68
    Bye Bye Freddie :)

    This is a brilliant signing. Well done Mick and Moxey.
    Bridget & Tony – could you put Bridget on next time please? I’m fed up with hearing all that moaning from Tony !
    Up the Wolves!

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  69. 69
    wolvesrwiked

    Good signin but we still need another defender. Get berra in and keep little and daniel jones and play them. As for midfield mcarthy play mark davies and stephen gleeson they are quality and also lewis gobern.

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  70. 70
    NathanWolves

    Well done Jez!
    Have to say i don’t know anything about this player but to get player of the season is very positive and the fact that he plays for England U21′s means he is no mug.
    Berra and a central midfielder and i think we are ready for the season ahead then.

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  71. 71
    Stoke Wolves

    Sounds great still need one more centre half though – Anthony Gardner from Spurs would be great to add top flight and international experience – still only 27, good on the ball and also comes from Stafford! Spurs would let him go for no more than £1 million I hear, depends on wages though I guess. In my opinion we should go for him if the Berra fiasco drags on.

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  72. 72
    Cheltenham Wolf

    63. Err…I wasn’t having a go. It was a joke.

    I’m sure you know his cousin very well..

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  73. 73
    Dingle Shandee

    Great to see some prise goin Moxeys way. This signin is definetly real the 2 Hosts on sky sports news have jus confirmed it as an undisclosed fee (every wolves singining seems to be undisclosed).

    6 foot 2, 20 years old, england caps, can play right back, and won both player of the year and players player of the year.

    Iv never beeen more excited about a transfer tbh x

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  74. 74
    carl

    So Richard Stearman has signed from Leicester for 1.6 mill . Not a bad signing in my opinion, Leicester player of the year last year and fans on a Leicester Chat room rated him as a great prospect, fully expecting him to go to Villa

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  75. 75
    Gold&Black

    Just a quick note note to Steve Bull Stand, told you so mate, the clubs running properly now, the footballs about to do the talking, well done the 3M’s . C’mon me Babiees………………..

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  76. 76
    stubbz

    At bloody last!!!!!!!!!!

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  77. 77
    Cornish Wolf

    Got to say a big, big well done to the scouting team and negotiators. Looks on the face of it to be a steal from under the noses of bigger clubs. We do seem to be doing well with ex Holloway players, first there was SEB Now this chap. Just one more then I’ll be happy, Halmosi! he’s the midfield player we really need.
    Up The Wolves

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  78. 78
    SOLIHULLWOLVES

    does anyone know if he is quick ?

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  79. 79
    richard

    hello. Leicester fan here.
    This is great news – for us.
    If Stearman was half as good as he thinks he is, he would be a decent player.
    You may hear about leicester’s great defensive record last season, even though we got relegated. thats because teams knew we wouldnt score if we played all week. 1-0 was enough. if ever we did get one back, they just went and did it again.
    good luck to you anyhow.

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  80. 80
    pye green wolf

    armitage cow my father in law is a season ticket holder at the foxes he reckons he,s been there best player for last 2 seasons strong in the air and quick on his feet,could be a good foil for jody youth and experience c,mon the wolves

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  81. 81
    brummie rob wolves

    32) Fair play someone from the other side that gives a genuine comment.
    I was waiting for the comments … signing a defender from a relegated team. Leicester were one of the best defensively last season, they were ultimately worse in front of goal than us!
    Things are looking good!

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  82. 82
    pip

    Hes quicker than Breen,Quicker than Ward,quicker than Collins,Quicker than elokobi,Quicker than Foley.

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  83. 83
    Dingle Shandee

    Quicker than elokobi ? Dont belive that

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  84. 84
    richard

    he’s quick, but leaves his position exposed as he bursts forward. poor sense of obligation to keeping his position and defending, imho. he cost us the game against wednesday doing that at the end of the season.
    started off great for us, then seemed to believe his own publicity.
    rumour has it that actually elvis hammond got the supporters player of the year vote. everyone i knoe voted for him. he spent the season on the treatment table. the club didnt publish the results of the vote, just named stearman.
    with someone as upright as mandaric in charge, i am sure that couldn’t be true.
    anyhow – up the doog.

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  85. 85
    oh vokey vokey

    so hes slower than craddock? hahaha

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  86. 86
    john

    good news lets see how he does because I’ve never heard of him.
    hope MM manages to crack it this time because he signed Darren ward last season and he certainly wasnt any better than what we already had in the squad.

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  87. 87
    media wolf pete

    65 – we have a potential Gazza in Mark Davies. If he can stay free of injury, this guy will become a major talent

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  88. 88
    adam tranter

    ecstatic about the signin, jus get berra in now, dave jones, another central midfielder nd striker nd i will b really happy (Y)

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  89. 89
    Steve bull stand

    75 Gold and Black – not sure what your point is but this is a good signing. June, July and early August are often good months for Wolves fans as that traditional optimism returns. Fingers crossed that Late August to May are good too. The football has done no talking yet..

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  90. 90
    E11 Wolf

    It’s amazing how a signing like this really gets the pulse racing. We still need more players but thus far Mick et al (the 3M’s) have done us proud.

    however we must not be too optimistic. there are a lot of good teams and yet the current poicy really should pay off eventually. Great news

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  91. 91
    Alan Davis

    Can I just point out that yet again he is a signing from a team that got relegated! I would be more impressed with someone who played well in a winning team.

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  92. 92
    www.wolf.

    quality quality quality….!

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  93. 93
    Kev T

    Just a note here, have you noticed how these signings come out of the blue, very little said about them until the deal is done, taking everybody by surprise. That’s the way to do it and all credit to the management team for pulling it off. On the other hand the ones that there is all the speculation about very rarely happen. interesting or what? Can’t wait for the new season.

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  94. 94
    Paul

    Decent championship right back, seemed okay as a centre back but I preferred him as a right back, which is where he’s played 90% of the time in the first team. Pretty decent all round player, prone to the odd daft bit of positioning every now and again and not a particularly inventive passer of the ball. Wouldn’t say he’s anything other than a decent top half championship fullback at the minute, mind, you lot seem to have got your hopes up a bit too much.

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  95. 95
    Cardiff Wolf

    Am I dreaming…??????

    My flat mate is an avid Foxes fan n travels from Cardiff most weeks to watch em…& he just cant beleive whats happend there. He spoke most weeks about Stearman n ranted n raved even though they were going down faster than the boggies will next year……
    I didn’t know much bout him apart from his name as I heard it every Saturday evening but my mate reckons we have ourselves another Joleon Lescott…fast, hard, good delivery & a very cool head he says. The only saving grace for the Foxes last year was that he played most of their games & stopped then getting a thrashing week in n week out…just think….steady at the back….alongside Bera hopefully, a new signing in the offing in midfield & a strike force to match anything else around……drooling as we speak…bring it on guys…

    Congratulations to the Wolves board for what sounds like quality…maybe we are learning to throw up smokescreens regarding REAL transfer targets….coz we have suffered fron stating intrest in players n watching them move elsewhere..

    Very well done again MM & Jez & everyone involved at Wolves….NEXT…!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The futures bright..the futures ORANGE…n Black….

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  96. 96
    north bank

    good signing

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  97. 97
    Breretonwolf

    91- They were one of the best defences in the Championship. They just couldn’t score goals. (Good move to give them Cort.) He has represented England at every age from under-17′s to Under 21′s. He will do for me.

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  98. 98
    Nippy Lobo

    Looks like a great signing! If we get Christophe Berra as well, then that will meet my minimum wishes for central defenders. (Although, actually, I’m told Stearman has mainly played at wide-back for Leicester.)

    I reckon we paid about £900,000 for him and £240 or £250,000 for Sam Vokes. The media usually exaggerates. The actual figures make Moxey look a bit better. As Moxey often says, it’s no use paying over the odds!

    In 2005 neither Rohan Ricketts nor Jackie McNamara cost any transfer fee. I can’t remember when Wolves last paid good money for two players before the end of June. Do I see the influence of Steve Morgan here?

    Wolves’ stated objective for sixteen years has been to become an established Premiership club. For Moxey, Stearman’s signing represents one small step in that direction. Final judgment on the chief executive awaits Wolves’ end-of-season position in May 2009. If, at the end of Moxey’s ninth year, Wolves have still not achieved the stated objective, surely it has to be thumbs down for the CEO! So now a few more steps, please!

    I hope it’s promotion and thumbs up!

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  99. 99
    Billy Whis-Man

    Great news-good-player–Yes I will go with this one–At last someone who plays in the Centre of the park–Looking-Good- Please no more negative responses lets get going… cannot wait

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  100. 100
    mboy

    Defender in a team that got relegated! Great buy????

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  101. 101
    iainhill1234

    if we have christophe berra then that means a good solid defence has stearman is playing in centre defence also. Premier here we come=p

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  102. 102
    LufbraWolf

    Finally a defender!!!!!!!

    he better be worth it though…

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  103. 103
    Loyal-Cannock-Wolf

    100. Idiot…

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  104. 104
    Billy Whis-Man

    In a team that got relgated yes but had consistant appearances good-right ups and from a team that was sacking the Managers on a Rota– He played for his Shirt for Leic and thats what we want him to do here–A good aquasition.

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  105. 105
    LufbraWolf

    That ‘team that got relegated’ had the second best defence in the championship.

    i’ll go with one of those…

    Report abuse



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