Cottagers announce striker signing
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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.”
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