Keith Andrews signs three-year deal with Bolton Wanderers
Republic of Ireland international midfielder Keith Andrews has signed a three-year deal with Bolton Wanderers after his West Bromwich Albion contract expired.
The 31-year-old central midfielder, who was widely regarded as Ireland’s best performer at Euro 2012, is set to be unveiled by Owen Coyle at the Reebok Stadium today. Andrews started his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers after joining from Dublin youth side Stella Maris, and has also spent time at Oxford United, Stoke City, Walsall, Hull City, Milton Keynes Dons, Blackburn Rovers, and Ipswich Town.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Andrews said that the move was a long time in the making: “Owen Coyle was straight on the phone making contact even before the Euros,” said Andrews. “He said he wanted to sign me and not on the basis of whether I’d have a good Euros or not. He said he wanted me to come and be a big player for them and that he wanted characters in the dressing room.
“He’d had an interest in me before but circumstances didn’t quite work out then. But when I spoke to him this time about what he wanted for the club he made it clear that the goal was to go straight back up into the Premier League — and stay there. So he really did sell the club to me very well and definitely made me feel wanted.
“I’d never really met him properly before. Obviously, I’d played against his teams and I’d always shake hands with him going off the pitch but any time I’d read about him or seen him in interviews he always struck me as a very passionate man who loves the game. So I’m looking forward to working for a new manager who obviously wants me. Hopefully, I’ll learn a lot from him and be a big player for Bolton.”
Andrews has 32 caps for Ireland since making his debut under Giovanni Trapattoni in 2008, scoring 3 goals along the way.
Bolton kick off their 2012-13 Championship campaign against Burnley.
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Andrews was by far our most impressive player in the Euros. He showed that at least one player can still be considered to have the infamous fighting Irish spirit.
Shame Gibson / Long / McClean / Kelly didn’t get a chance to shine though or surely one of those would have been our best player.
Again there’s only one person to blame, Crappatoni.
Anyone want to help me start a campaign to get rid of our “Great leader”
An online petition would be a great place to start. The only direction we’re going with him at the helm is backwards (in more ways than one)
I have watched Blackburn games where he literally went 30 minutes at a time without touching the ball.
He was okay at the Euros but this is probably his level, despite a decent spell at West Brom.
If Ireland are to move forward, we need to phase out Whelan and Andrews but it isn’t going to happen.
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