CITY’S SWEET HEARTS DEAL
CITY NEW BOY HEADS FOR WALES DETERMINED TO TEST HIMSELF IN CHAMPIONSHIP
CALLUM Paterson pushed through his Cardiff City move with a determination to play in the English leagues.
The 22-year-old Scotland full-back joined City through freedom of contract after his Heart of Midlothian deal expired on May 31.
And though the Bluebirds paid Hearts £400,000 in compensation and Paterson insisted a sell-on fee was included his three-year contract, fans and journalists have hailed the move as a coup and a bargain for Neil Warnock’s side.
“It’s the right time for the player and the club, and they’ve got a sell-on as well because they’ve developed him,” revealed Warnock.
“I’m pleased because it’s a good club and I like Hearts. We wanted to do the right thing by them. I like Craig Levein, the director of football. We had some battles when he was at Leicester. I just think it’s a well-run club and I like the owner, Ann Budge, who has done a decent job.”
Paterson, who was born in London to a Scottish father and Zimbabwean mother told iFollow website: “I’m absolutely delighted and buzzing to be part of this big club.
“It’s nice and early so I’ve got a lot of time to bed in, get to know my way around the area and introduce myself. It’s great timing and I’m happy to be here.
“Anyone that has watched me has seen that I like to attack,” continued the full-back.
“I’m athletic and I like to go forward and try and get on the end of crosses.
“I’m a great attacker and I like to score my goals, so hopefully I can come here and score a few too.”
The versatile Paterson had attracted interest from 54-time Scottish champi- ons Rangers who were thought to be in contention for his signature.
And though it is understood no formal bid was ever made, the Ibrox club’s interest was genuine, while Premier League giants West Ham United had shown January interest in the player before a horror knee injury caused the Hammers to look elsewhere.
Paterson’s ambition to prove himself south of the border and his determination to mix it in the notoriously competitive English second flight are behind his decision to accept Cardiff’s offer.
The five-cap international joins the Bluebirds on a deal until 2020 with fans from Tynecastle expressing their regret at losing a player of his quality, who played for Scotland in their qualifier against England.
He scored nine times in 21 games for Ian Cathro’s side last season before a horrific cruciate ligament injury cut his season short on December 27. His last Hearts game came in their 4-0 rout of Kilmarnock at Tynecastle, a game in which Paterson scored the opening goal.
It’s been a long road to recovery for Paterson since and he’s not expected to make his Bluebirds bow until October.
Paterson began running at the end of April, posting a video of himself online. Initial reports in December said he’d be out from six to 10 months if rehabilitation goes to plan.
He becomes the third signing of the summer at the Cardiff City Stadium, following the arrivals of winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge, while Junior Hoilett and Lee Peltier signed contract extensions this week.