Name: Paul Green
D.o.B: April 15, 1987
Position: Defender
Previous clubs: Aston Villa.
In the lower leagues, signings are made on a shoestring budget with so-called ‘names' costing clubs big money.
So when
With this in mind, LCM brings you a comprehensive look at the career of the youngster in hope of shedding some light on the situation…
When the signing of Paul Green broke, I – on face value – did not know quite how to react.
Given the club's record for producing their own youth talent, why attempt to pluck a man from a Premiership academy? Surely this would represent a backwards step in the club's proud youth policy?
Any doubt, though, is removed through the wisdom of one John Deehan.
The Imps' Director of Football has, once again, exploited his endless pool of contacts with great success, plucking a youngster from the relative obscurity of one of his former clubs' academies.
Finding the player is one thing; but persuading them to give up football at a higher level, however, is quite another.
Scratch beneath the surface and we uncover Deehan's central role in ‘selling'
What exactly is said to persuade such exciting youngsters to choose City is unknown, but there will be few questions of Deehan's methods, especially considering their remarkable results.
From being a member of the side that were second best to Middlesbrough's academy in the 2004 FA Youth Cup final, Green had been knocked down a peg when informed by manager Martin O'Neill his chances of a new deal were slim.
With first team opportunities at Villa limited, a contract running ever-shorter, and a future to think of, the defender-cum-midfielder had to make arguably the biggest choice of his career to date.
Risk losing all at Villa, praying the club would change their minds; or move on to pastures new?
The choice was one the player could not take lightly.
His decision was made that bit easier given Deehan's sales pitch, discussions that would, ultimately, warm the player to City's offer.
By the Friday of last week, a verbal agreement had been made on a two-and-a-half year deal – an agreement seen through today, as Green finally sealed his move.
After having ear-marked the player for a year, Deehan's efforts have been rewarded with the impressive coup of the
His signing – pending the confirmation of Dany N'Guessan's proposed move – should wrap-up a month's work well done, as the club now edge ever closer to promotion.
Just how much a part Green and N'Guessan will play in the final leg of City's promotion surge remains to be seen – all, however, will become much clearer come May 5.
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