Fulham’s busy month in the transfer market continued yesterday as they set up the signing of West Ham defender Ian Pearce in exchange for veteran Andy Melville.
Both players are scheduled to undergo medicals within the next couple of days in a deal which will also see Fulham pay an undisclosed fee to West Ham.
Cottagers boss Chris Coleman revealed it was a wrench to off-load 35-year-old former Sunderland centre-back Melville – his former Swansea, Fulham and Wales team-mate – but insisted there were no hard feelings between the outgoing club captain and himself.
“Andy has been a mate for 20 years now. He’s good as gold but he accepts that it’s a good move for everyone,” said Coleman.
“We weren’t going to offer him a new contract, and West Ham were interested – so it was the sensible thing to do.”
Fulham also announced yesterday that they have finally agreed terms with Arsenal full-back Moritz Volz, who has now joined the Cottagers on a permanent basis.
