Baird on joining Fulham!

Fulham`s latest recruit, Chris Baird, probably stunned the media by rejecting Sunderland to come to Craven Cottage, at one stage it even seemed as if he`d been measured up for his Black Cats club suit!

Thankfully, Baird opted to join Aaron Hughes and Steven Davis at Craven Cottage to supplement the Irish contingent that has served our manager, Lawrie Sanchez, so well on the international front.

Speaking to the assembled media after completing the move, Baird had this to say with regard to next season,

'We don't want to be in the same position we were in last season - we want to be secure in the Premiership and hopefully we can finish much higher up next year, I'm sure with the players we've got we can do that.'

Hopefully be reflecting on those owrds rather than ruing them come May next season.

He also went on to discuss what the move means to him pointing out,

'It's been a long, hard wait but thankfully it's all done and dusted now and I'm a Fulham player.'

'To play in the Premiership was one of the major reasons for me coming here."

Meanwhile Lawrie Sanchez was also forthcoming in his praise for Baird at the press conference, remarking,

'I am well aware of Chris' attributes as a player from my time with Northern Ireland and his qualities and versatility will be a major asset for the club next season'

All that remains now is to find out who is next on the Fulham shopping list!