Westwood Is Sent To Coventry

Last updated : 21 June 2008 By Thetashkentterror
Keiren Westwood
After some extremely impressive performances for the Cumbrians last season, and having made 153 starts in his four years with United, the 23-year old has finally moved up to the next level. Carlisle fans were hoping that Keiren would be able to ply his trade in the Championship for the Blues next season but the end of season fall away and subsequent play-off defeat to Leeds scuttled that ship.

With Westwood seemingly keen to move away from Brunton Park, and the fact that he only had a year left on his contract, Carlisle were more or less forced to sell him this summer in order to avoid another leave for nothing situation in the manner of Karl Hawley last year.

Manchester-born Keiren, picked up in July 2004 after being released by Manchester City, made his debut for United in a 2-1 LDV Vans home win over Grimsby two months later. Westwood eventually becoming regular Blues number one the following season after Matty Glennon left the club to join Falkirk and Anthony Williams failed to impress in the opening stages of that 2005-06 campaign.

The 23-year old has got better and better since then, recently being named the League One players' goalkeeper of the season and also having received a call-up to the full of Republic of Ireland squad at the end of May. Those performances have understandably seen scouts flocking to Brunton Park and Sky Blues boss Chris Coleman has been the first to take the plunge and grab Westwood's signature.

£500,000 is the initial payment United will receive for Keiren's three-year contract at the Ricoh Arena, with a further £250,000 potentially available depending on performance related clauses. A sell on clause has also been included in the deal, although unofficial, this is reputed to be at 25%.


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