Fulham have beaten Manchester United and Liverpool to
the signing of 16-year-old Walsall striker Richard Penekit, the
West London club confirmed on Friday morning.
Penekit, who has been with Walsall’s centre of excellence since
the age of 12, will join Fulham’s academy on July 1 after deciding
to leave the Banks’s Stadium in search of Premier League
experience.
Having spent a trial spell with Manchester United and also
turning down interest from Liverpool, the highly-rated youngster
will now look to make an impression at Craven Cottage.
“Originally my wife and I didn’t want him to leave home so the
clubs that were our main targets were Birmingham City and West
Bromwich Albion," his father, Mick, told Fulham’s official
website.
“Birmingham City had offered a professional contract and
Liverpool were desperate to get him. West Bromwich Albion were keen
to get him down and Newcastle also showed an interest.
“He had a trial period with Manchester United but he didn’t
enjoy that.
“When Richard came down to Fulham for four days he was so
impressed with the set-up. When he came home he said that he loved
it. He said he enjoyed the lads, which is important, and he said
Gary Brazil was fantastic.
“That was a big thing for him. He felt everything was right as
we all did as a family.”
