Bridges on the up
01 Sep 2006 - 16:56:44
Michael Bridges continued his footballing rehabilitation by joining Hull City from Carlisle United in a £325,000 deal on Thursday.
The former Leeds United striker bounced back from his well-documented injury problems to score 15 times in 25 matches as the Cumbrians won the League Two title last term.
However, the 28-year-old is still determined to play Premiership football again and was delighted to have the chance to jump a division closer to the top-flight by signing a three-year contract with the Tigers.
Bridges told his new club's official website: "It's been tough getting back on track but I'm a big believer in fate and if it wasn't meant to be it wouldn't have happened."
He added: "There were other options open to me with three or four clubs coming in at the last minute once they knew that Hull City and Carlisle were negotiating.
"But being a northern lad this was a great option for me and the KC is somewhere I've played before.
"It's a fantastic stadium and when you tie that in with the manager and the chairman's ambition it was a terrific opportunity for me. The aim now is to try and help to get our season going."
Carlisle were reluctant to allow Bridges to leave, but owner Fred Story felt he had little option but to sanction the deal.
"We really did want to keep him but Michael was determined that he wanted to join a Championship club and we cannot hold him back in realising that ambition," said Story.
"We are not a selling club and whilst money is always welcome, we would have much rather kept the player."