Garner Goes To Forest At Last

Joe Garner

That's that all over at last then as the deal to transfer Garner to the Tricky Trees, and all the rumours and talk about the structure of the fee, can now be put behind us as we look forward to the new League One season. The one-in and one-out signing of Michael Bridges quite understandably being the sweetener for Blues fans yesterday.

Garner had been at Carlisle for just less than one year since moving from Blackburn for £140,000, so a profit in £1 million in not even 12 months can hardly be seen as bad business for either Rovers or United. The Cumbrians getting their £140,000 back plus £450,000 of the £1 million, while Blackburn get £500,000 from their sell-on clause and Garner receives £50,000.

In his time at Brunton Park the 20-year old managed to score 14 goals in 34 appearances, his season being cut short by a serious knee injury sustained at Crewe in February. That cruciate ligament injury will not be fully healed until the late autumn months, so his departure makes little difference to Carlisle squad-wise in the immediate future, especially with the arrival of Michael Bridges, although in the long-term United do have an undisclosed sell-on clause.


First Team Transfers 2008-09 : Click here