Stuart Pearce is pleased with Andreas Isaksson's arrival at Manchester City and has revealed that the Swedish international had been in the Club's thoughts for some time.
With David James’ departure to Portsmouth, Pearce was faced with the prospect of bringing in a new face just before the start of the league season, but of Isaksson he says:
“I’ve been at the club for five years and I know that Peter Bonetti had looked at him. We looked at him before we signed Peter Schmeichel and David Seaman, and we had scouting reports on him from three or four years ago.
“I think if we had left it for another week we may not have got him, and getting good goalkeepers with experience is very, very difficult to do.”
The Manager also paid tribute to the departing James, who is due to return to the City of Manchester Stadium with his new club on August 23rd.
“David has given us great service, his form for the club was excellent, he has been a credit to this club and we wish him well. But, we have a 24-year-old in now who arguably has the experience of a 30-year-old, and I’m delighted with our goalkeeping situation.
“Things looked a bit rocky when David asked to go, but all of a sudden we have another young lad in and we might be better off than when David was here. Andreas has years in front of him, as do our other keepers.”
