Quartet delight at Fulham move

By James Pearson  

Quartet delight at Fulham move

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Aaron Hughes, Steven Davis, David Healy and Chris Baird have all expressed their delight at joining Lawrie Sanchez's Fulham revolution.

Hughes and Davis have both joined from Premier League rivals Aston Villa while Healy and Baird have arrived from Leeds and Southampton respectively.

Former Newcastle defender Hughes expressed his regret to leave Villa, although he is now looking to a fresh challenge in West London.

"It's a fresh start, a chance to try something new so I'm really looking forward to it," Hughes told Sky Sports News.

"I was disappointed that maybe things didn't work out a little better at Villa. But that's football and that's the way.

"I've been given a chance here to start fresh and have a new go at something so I'm really looking forward to it."

Davis, like Hughes, was sad to leave Villa, but, after finding himself down Martin O'Neill's first-team pecking order, felt the time was right to move on.

"It was a tough decision, but I found myself out of the team and I felt I had to make the move to get first-team football," explained Davis.

"There are exciting times down here so I was glad to join. It's obviously good for me coming down and knowing some of the lads."

Healy has only just linked up with Fulham following the summer saga at Leeds and is looking forward to impressing in England's top flight.

The one-time Manchester United trainee brings an impressive scoring record for Northern Ireland to Craven Cottage, but the jury is out on his Premier League credentials.

"I'm looking forward to it," said the ex-Leeds man. "I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"It's been well documented that Lawrie wanted to bring me here, so at long last I'm here.

"It was sad to leave Leeds, but it's a new challenge."

Baird arrives as Southampton's Player of the Year and the defender has revealed the lure of Sanchez played a big part in rejecting Sunderland for Fulham.

The 25-year-old is enjoying his time with the Londoners and would be happy to play anywhere for Sanchez as long as he gets on the pitch.

Baird stated: "Obviously Lawrie and that was a big thing for us. I'm really enjoying it so far. I'll play anywhere if I get the chance to play.

"The Premier League is better quality and better quality players so it's going to be tough for us, but a test I'm really looking forward to."