Wolves set to complete Jelle van Damme signing
Saturday 29th May 2010, 11:30AM BST.
Wolves are poised to complete the £2.5m signing of Jelle van Damme over the weekend as Chris Iwelumo looks set to finalise a £500,000 switch to Burnley.
Anderlecht are adamant the van Damme transfer will go through as soon as possible because they cannot afford to lose out on his replacement with other clubs sniffing his signature. The Belgian champions have a 3.5m euros deal lined up to sign Racing Genk left-back Kevin de Bruyne who, at 18, is already rated as the hottest property in Belgium football despite just 28 senior appearances.
Despite his tender years, de Bruyne has already made his full international debut for Belgium against Bulgaria earlier this month in a game where van Damme also played. Desperate for regular football, de Bruyne will only sign if van Damme leaves, and Anderlecht are particularly keen to get the deal completed so they don’t miss out on the teenage replacement.
As van Damme finally looks set to sign up for boss Mick McCarthy, Wolves remain hopeful of prising £7m-rated Steven Fletcher from Burnley.
It is understood Wolves, along with Blackburn, have had an offer of around £6.5m accepted for Fletcher.
But the 23-year-old striker is away on holiday at the moment and has left the negotiations with his agent, who is bound to want to explore all the options available at both clubs for his client before Fletcher comes to a decision.
While that was going on, Iwelumo was at Turf Moor yesterday afternoon to have a look around after the clubs agreed a fee to take him to Lancashire.
The Scotland international looks set to move to Burnley in a separate deal, regardless whether the Fletcher transfer falls Wolves’ way or not.
Always popular with fans, 6ft 3in Iwelumo scored 16 goals in 52 games (30 starts) for Wolves, and, despite turning 32 in August, leaves at a profit having arrived for a bargain £400,000 from Charlton almost two years ago. His 41-goal partnership with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in 2008-09 swept Wolves to the Championship title.
But he struggled with injuries after April 2009, first suffering medial knee ligament damage at Birmingham, then breaking the same foot twice and it took a month’s loan at Bristol City in the spring for his only goals of last season.
By Wolves reporter Tim Nash
UK Sport
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Good luck to you big chris,if you do leave us thanks for the goals and you will go down as a key member of the team who won the championship title…thanks big man
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my kids will be gutted about big chris. we see him most mornings, and he’s definately their favourite..
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Good luck big Chris, I hope it works out for you. Thanks for what you helped us achieve!
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Thanks for good service Chris!!Served your time well.Always welcome at Molineux!
Nice bloke.Lets see whos else go’s?i could pick a few!Start with this mick-
Mairenhofer,surman,halford,murray,elokobi,keogh,.Bring in =
Hunt,fletcher,angel rangel,brown,ohara,van damme,Gerrad from cardiff.affordable players.
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Good luck Chris. We owe you a lot for those goals that got us up.
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Begs the question if this 18 year-old is so good, why have we not gone for him?
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good look to u big chris keep in touch with us u are all ways wellcome back thanks for the goals
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Good luck, hope u score plenty of goals for Burnley.
Many thanks for your good service at Wolves, if u ever return hope you get the standing ovation u deserve
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i always liked big chris.he will do well at burnley.
totaly agree with No4 regardind departures.
sorry to say,i think murrays brittle bones just isn’t up to it.
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good luck chris. Thanx for your loyal service always welcome back.
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Good luck to Chris, he has done well for us in his time at Wolves and we made a profit at the end of it. Great signing. Just one of a few who isn’t quite good enough if we are to progress next season. I think the revealing of the new stadium is perfect timing. For all those players who may be unsure whether to come to us or another club. What a selling point. If I were a player the thought of playing home games at that stadium would definitely turn my head. How any Wolves fans can find things to moan about at the moment amazes me. Things just keep getting better. UTW.
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Iwelumo ws a great player for us – his partnership with Ebanks in 08/09 was key to us winnig the championship – thank you and good luck at Burnley. UTW
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good move for both player and club..
lets hope Keogh and co will do the same and move on…
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Top bloke. Good luck. And thanks.
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wolvesey keogh is not going anywhere and he will show next season why big mick has stuck by him by having a great season sitting behind fletch and doyle
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Good Luck Chris……………..wish u all the best for the future, model pro!!
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Wolvesey, i totally agree with the players out. Would add a couple more, Milijas and Hennesy, oh and throw in edwards and ward too. Why the hell are we still paying Murry’s wage!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep elokobi though as a bouncer!
Hunt, Ohara, Van Damme, Mancienne, Hunt, all good then i want a decent big hit man upfront!
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Thank you for the good service big Chris, big part of the title winning side!
all the best for the future
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all the best chriss i would not let you go. it is hoff who i would let go for free.
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Just want to say thanks and good luck to Lumes (assuming this move goes through). I remember first seeing him in a Wolves shirt at the pre-season friendly against Hereford two years ago. He didn’t look particularly fit that night so must have worked really hard to get himself ready for the start of the season and then get off to such a great start as the majority of his goals that season came before Xmas. Always seemed a nice bloke- a good signing (£400,000!) and a big part of the Championship winning team.
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Big handshake to Chris, all the best, am sure that you will do very well at Burnley. Wolves look like they are going in the right direction, new stadium and some good signings. We just need to get these player before anyone else does. It always seems like we end up marketting them to other clubs while the deal is being done!
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Good luck 4 the future big boy.I am sure in due course you will be a television pundit and this is something you will excel in for sure.You have had a good football career and may that continue for you ,and it will as you are movin a league down which you will be suited to.Very best.
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thankyou chris iwelumo, welcome to wwfc jelle and hopefully joe ledley, fletcher,eagles,hunt,dorrans, and more. utw
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Thanks Chris, gutted it hasn’t worked for you in the PL always a big fan of yours. You will always get a cheer and not a boo on returns to the Golden Palace, that itself speaks volumes of what you have done.
No.4 Agree with most of your transfer comings and goings, although I wouldn’t rush getting rid of Surman as he clearly has talent, send him back to Soton on loan for a season, or CCC Club.
Big fan of Hunt and can’t believe negativity by some fans on this site, just because he stayed loyal to a club fighting relegation.
A bit unsure of £7 million for Fletcher, although I would like to see him come here. Come on Hunt sign the dotted line……..
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good luck big chris,top bloke all the best for the future.you are always back to the molineux
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big chris just wasnt the same since he missed that sitter for sctland, i think that really damaged his confidence and i this this move will be the kick start he needs, thanks chris you will be missed.
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Good luck to you Big Chris i always rated you think your all round game was better than kevin doyles
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Dunno about Jelle van Damme but this other player seems interesting, Kevin de Bruyne. Why are they selling this van Damme for the youngster, is he better?
Shouldnt we being eyeing up Kevin de Bruyne too if he’s rated already as Belgium’s hottest property?
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Anderlecht are adamant the van Damme transfer will go through as soon as possible because they cannot afford to lose out on his replacement with other clubs sniffing his signature. The Belgian champions have a 3.5m euros deal lined up to sign Racing Genk left-back Kevin de Bruyne who, at 18, is already rated as the hottest property in Belgium football despite just 28 senior appearances.
Why don’t we just sign Mr de Bruyne?
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Really sad to see BIG CHRIS leaving us ,a really true pro and gent…wish you all the best in your new advanture please come back anytime you will always be made welcome
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have met chris a few times and one of the nicest guys you good meet he did a lot of charity work at wolves, good look big chris and thanks
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Thanks for all the goals and memories big Chris. You’ve been a wonderful servant to this club and I’d like to say best of luck at your new club.
I will always remember you as the player who’s goals and all round good play helped us to get where we are now.
Top Man!
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Best o luck big Chris. True professional and the most mobile big man I have seen for a long time. We will welcome you back with a standing ovation whenever you come home.
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THANKS BIG CHRIS, WE’LL NEVER FORGET YOU FOR YOUR SERVIES.
LIKE ALL OF OUR OUR DEPARTED PLAYERS YOU ARE WELCOME BACK FOR A BEER IN TOWN ANYTIME!
GOOD LUCK MATE
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Good luck if you do go Big Guy, thanks for the goals in the championship!
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Good Luck at Burnley Chris, youve been a good servant in your short time at wolves and I’m sure we’ll miss your abillity in the air!!
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chris played a big part in getting us promoted, but to be honest having seen him play this year, he is not a premiership forward and made no little impact in most games.
MM needs to continue to improve the squad and that means letting go of some good players. we need real competition in all positions and this will put a question mark on SEB, Keogh, edwards, elokobi, berra, jones,foley. Many of these did really well last season, but the question is whether MM can get better players in or whether these can improve on last season to stay in the team.
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Maybe Wolves should be going for the 18yr Belgium LB instead of vanDamme! On CI leaving Wolves it was only to be expected as the injuries have given him a bit of a problem with the EPL pace. He served us well since coming from Charlton but as they say time to re-shape & re-invest. Unsure why most fans want to get rid of Surman…the boy is only young & is serving his time. I think Mick should keep hold of him & see what he can do next season. Not all players come good straight away, Nenad will have to pull his socks up next season too as will a few others. Keogh will be sensational next season.
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Good luck man! Top bloke!
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I love big Chris
Good luck
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I wouldnt sell the big fella.
We should get rid of the Hoff instead, he seems more interested in posting on his website, instead of getting fit & contributing to the cause.
Some of Chriss finishing was top draw, Sheff Utd(A), Charlton(H) Preston(A) were all top draw goals & his attitude since he has been here has been first class.
If you do go good luck, you will be missed.
KTF
Wolvesforever
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Chris was going great until getting sent off against Preston. Then that Scotland game when he had not played for weeks.Affected him greatly I think never the same.
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Cheers Chris, you’ve played your part in Wolves history. That Preston away game leaves all sorts of memories !
Good luck
Surprises me that his move to Burnley is not being used as part of the Fletcher deal. Maybe it is but cards are being played close to chests. Foxey Moxey !
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Good luck Chris I hope Burnley works well for you.I see in the papersthat Keane wants to work with Martin O`niel at Villa.Does this mean that he`s not had an approach from Wolves or that he doesn`t want to work with Mick? Come on 3M`s wake up OHara,Fletcher/Boyd,Ledley and perhaps Hunt alond with Curtis Davies would show the fans you mean business and are reallyinterested in having a good team to establish our place in the top division.
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Lovely chap and outstanding servant! Really nice to see that everyone appreciates chris’ contribution and he leaves in such a positive way! Cheers big fella!
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Thanks big man best for luck, Welcome to Wolves fc Jelle Van Damme look forward to seeing what you can to us. Wolves forever!
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Iwelumo, Iwelumo wooh-oh wooh-oh, Iwelumo, Iwelumo, wooh-oh, wooh-oh!
All the best big man, thanks for the goals and the 100% you gave in every game for us, will be guaranteed an exceptional reception from the fans if he plays at the molineux again!
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GOOD LUCK Chris two top coats heavier there mate-
V-Damne Well i hope he is better on the pitch than his Films-Only joking.. Looks a good signning clearly more to come… Craze Dave.
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ill miss big chris :(
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Chris you are a really nice bloke. I will be sorry to see you go if you do, and would like to wish you the very best of luck for the future.
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Good luck, Chris – you played your part 100%. As for “Robbie’s Return” – no chance of that if it’s true he was hinting that it would be in Doyle’s interests to seek a “bigger” club. Well, anyway, they say never go back…..
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i have been hearing mixed thoughs about van damme but me personally he looks a decent player i just hope we can can sign him in the next day or two. i also think that we should also invest in another defender as back up for berra and craddock.
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Good luck Chris, thanks for your great service.
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Thanks Lumes, good bloke, thanks for your goals that got us where we are today. I’d like to think we can do a deal for Fletcher perhaps with Henn going the other way and let’s hope Mick’s on good terms with them after selling them Chris. Once Jean Claude and Fletcher are signed why not be cheeky and enquire about Eagles as well?
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The battle was already won when the opposition saw how big the wolves side was with Elokobi and Iwelumo very intimidating. All the best.
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Cheers Big Chris!
Top Bloke!
Wishing you all the best in the future Hopefully u may get another championship medal with burnley next season!
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Preston away – what a day for you!. Best hat trick by a Wolves player in quite some time.
Take care mate and don’t leave it too long!
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Good luck Big Chris and thank’s for the goal’s! it’s just a shame your going to burnley!!!
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Good luck to the big man he gave us some good times. Seems strange to me though that we are getting rid of a championship quality player but all we want to buy are other championship quality players. We’re in the premiership but you would ever know it. No vision. Ah well, good luck big man, you’re better off away from the Mol, score some hatricks, you know that you can.
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Good luck Chris and many thanks for your goals, you are a real character.
The fringe players will now leave and I exoect to see Van Damme and Fletcher tied up within next few weeks. Fletcher and Doyle could be an excellent partnership and with SEB and Keogh on the bench we have options. Some of the fans are not keen on Keogh but I thought that he was very impressive before he got injured, he looked more comfortable at this level. His clever running off the ball, movement and pace were a joy to watch. Id probably start with alongside Doyle at away games to lower sides in the table (Albion, Blackpool, Wigan etc)
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