I didn't get my chance
MARTYN Waghorn admits he was desperately disappointed that his dreams of becoming a star for boyhood club Sunderland ended with him leaving, writes GRAEME ANDERSON.
The South Shields-born striker was a shock sale this week – many fans doubting the Gazette's story on Monday that he was on the verge of being sold before his sale was confirmed less than 24 hours later.
And Waghorn admits himself that the news came out of the blue.
But the 20-year-old says that after getting over the surprise he has already moved on, and is looking forward to a new life with Leicester City.
"It wasn't that much of a wrench having to leave," he said. "It was just sad they didn't give me a chance, and I didn't get a fair crack of the whip.
"It was sad to be leaving after 13 years at the club but it has happened, and I have to move on now. That's football.
"I am at Leicester now and I'm there for the next four years, so hopefully I can do a job for the club.
"I understand why Sunderland sold me.
"Steve Bruce called me and told me what was going on, so it was nice to get that phone call.
"But I've moved on.
"It is nice to have heard that the fans cared, and it is a shame I didn't get to show them an awful lot, but I have moved on.
"I've got to say thanks to Sunderland, but I'm a Leicester player now."
Waghorn is expected to go straight into the team which travels to local rivals Coventry City next weekend.
And the youngster, scorer of 12 goals last season while on loan with the Foxes, will be looked to by fans to revive a club which is currently second-bottom of the Championship with just one point from four games.
At a 2m fee, potentially rising to 3m, Waghorn is one of the biggest signings in the Championship over the course of the summer, and he knows that eyes will be upon him.
"Obviously the fans will be expecting something," he said.
"I have signed for a lot of money in the Championship, so there will be a bit of pressure there, but I have come to play football, and I am not going to let it burden me.
"I have to repay the club in some way, but I am here to play football and I want to enjoy myself. Whatever happens will happen.
"I am not worried or fazed. I am only young and I know it is a lot of money, but the way the football industry works these days there will be signings like this."
This is just another signing for me.
"I don't take much interest in the fee it is between the two clubs.
"As soon as I heard about the sale I didn't think about the fee, I just thought about settling in. It hasn't bothered me, it's just about what I can do for the team now.
With no game this weekend because of international football, Waghorn will be able to devote his attention to more mundane matters like finding his feet in the East Midlands.
"I have to think about settling and finding a place to live because I was about to move into a new place in Sunderland with my girlfriend when I heard about this move," he said. "Luckily that didn't go through.
"But it should be easy to sort things out because I have settled here before. I know the lads and I know Leicester."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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