Moore to sign!

13 September 2001

Hot on the heels of the news that Darren Moore has rejected Albion's offer of personal terms, comes the further news that he has agreed personal terms and is on his way to The Hawthorns for a medical as we speak. Only two days ago, Megson had stated that the move would not be going ahead because Moore's agent had made excessive demands, and Moore had stated that he would be staying put to fight for his place at Portsmouth and see out his four year contract.

However, this didn't get him into the team for Portsmouth's League Cup game against Wimbledon last night. Whether this has convinced him to accept the move, or whether Megson was simply calling the agent's bluff in refusing to improve Albion's offer remains unclear. But the fact is that Megson has yet again got the man he wants on what would appear to be the terms he wants him on. Moore will sign a four year contract with Albion tomorrow provided he passes the medical.

Although the Moore saga seems to have been dragging on for ages, it has only been about three weeks since Portsmouth finally accepted our offer and allowed us to start discussing personal terms. Megson had been chasing Moore since back in May, and only today issued a statement saying that the time limit had passed for Moore to accept Albion's offer and that "We are now exploring other avenues as we have been doing for weeks and weeks".

Portsmouth's official web site quotes Moore saying:

"I am very sad to be leaving but it's part and parcel of football. I will always have a place in my heart for the very special fans here who I have enjoyed an absolutely wonderful relationship with."

The web site goes on to note that Moore is likely to return to Fratton Park in less than two weeks time when Albion meet them in the League on September 25th. And they add:

"The club would like to put on record their thanks and appreciation for Moore's service to Pompey and wish him well with his new club."

I wonder if he can play up front...

Moore details

Birthplace: Birmingham DOB: 22/04/1974 Position: Defender Signed: 17/11/1999 Height: 6ft 2in

Previous Stories:

  11 September 2001:  The Moore saga ends

  10 September 2001:  Striker chaos

  27 August 2001:  Still no Moore

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