New striker aims for top flight (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
New striker aims for top flight
9:00am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport By Brian Owen
Leonardo Ulloa is ready for life with Albion (picture by Paul Hazlewood)
Albion striker Leonardo Ulloa has backed his new club to reach the Premier League.
The 26-year-old Argentinian completed his move to English football last night after agreeing a four-and-a-half year deal at The Amex.
Albion are believed to have paid about £2 million to meet the buyout clause in Ulloa’s contract at Almeria.
His deal at the Spanish second tier club was improved last summer after he scored 28 goals in a season.
Ulloa, who made his name with San Lorenzo in Argentina, saw his new team mates in action when they beat Derby 2-1 on Saturday.
He said: “This is a club which is growing.
“It has lots of new projects and is a club that sooner rather than later will be in the Premier League.”
Albion hope to secure international clearance for Ulloa in time for Saturday’s trip to Birmingham City.
The 6ft 2in striker scored seven top-flight goals for Almeria having first been taken to Spain by Castellon.
He arrives in England as a goalscorer and a target man.
Ulloa added: “I define myself as a fighter. I’m going to be fighting for the squad.
“I’m very comfortable in and around the box, dealing with crosses. I will add hopefully a few goals.”
Ulloa said his farewells to team mates at Almeria on Tuesday and promised to be back for their promotion party.
He said: “It is a very good move for me as an individual. The change of surroundings will suit me well.
“I’ve had a great year-and-a-half at Almeria. I’ve always felt welcome.
“It’s hard to go but I’ve taken a decision and I think it is the best for everybody at this moment.
“It’s sad to leave people and colleagues and supporters and a city which really welcomed me from the first day.”
Ulloa has admitted he leaves Almeria with an unfulfilled ambition – that of firing them back to the top flight.
He told the club’s web radio station at UDAlmeria.com: “It was an ambition to go up. Scoring 28 goals in a season was important for me but I would swap it for promotion with the team.
“I’ve told them I’ll be back in June for the celebration meal after promotion.”
Comments(18)
LesBerry
says...
9:15am Thu 17 Jan 13
Just what we need bit of strength up front and someone to get on the end of crosses - could we see a goal from a corner soon ??
Therapist
says...
9:22am Thu 17 Jan 13
Ulloa, Ulloa!
Ola, Ola Ola Ola,
Ulloa, Ulloa
albionfan33
says...
9:56am Thu 17 Jan 13
Therapist
says...
10:11am Thu 17 Jan 13
Someone mentioned in the other article a good one to The Kinks- Lola.
graham w
says...
10:18am Thu 17 Jan 13
albionfan33
says...
10:23am Thu 17 Jan 13
lllloooooooooooooooa
Hovite
says...
11:10am Thu 17 Jan 13
Therapist wrote:Yep the Kinks, Lola works well
I was going for a more catchy, lowest common denominator chant really.
Someone mentioned in the other article a good one to The Kinks- Lola.
LAWgull
says...
11:37am Thu 17 Jan 13
Gee Jay
says...
11:52am Thu 17 Jan 13
Good omens for a team player, let's make him feel at home ASAP.
A 'Peter Ward' start would be good.
Notters_Seagull
says...
11:59am Thu 17 Jan 13
Albion23
says...
1:49pm Thu 17 Jan 13
VegasSeagull
says...
1:54pm Thu 17 Jan 13
stand up if you love Ulloa stand up if you love Ulloa.......
VegasSeagull
says...
1:56pm Thu 17 Jan 13
VegasSeagull wrote:the first home match that he takes to the field in, what I have suggested should be his welcome from the fans.
Instead of, 'stand up if you hate Palace,' why not, stand up if you love Ulloa stand up if you love Ulloa.......
raymondo999
says...
2:16pm Thu 17 Jan 13
VegasSeagull
says...
2:34pm Thu 17 Jan 13
raymondo999 wrote:Ray it's called optimism, hope, and excited anticipation. The cOmments posted should be nothing more than expected from real fans of BHA. .
Pathetic! Spanish second division player, unknown quantity and everyone's falling about in ecstasy. Football is full of big strikers who fall over their own feet. not saying he might not be good, but wait until he's played a few times then make a judgement.
bbb1969
says...
7:59pm Thu 17 Jan 13
"His name is Leo and he dances round the box....we're beating you as you're all a bunch of c...s"
That's the best I can come up with but only when we are winning and Ulloa scores.
raymondo999
says...
9:18am Fri 18 Jan 13
VegasSeagull wrote:Do you mean 'are no more than are expected from real fans of BHA'? Interesting. As soon as anyone shows dissent on here, many people question their credentials rather than addressing their point. Why is that do you think Vegas?
raymondo999 wrote:Ray it's called optimism, hope, and excited anticipation. The cOmments posted should be nothing more than expected from real fans of BHA. .
Pathetic! Spanish second division player, unknown quantity and everyone's falling about in ecstasy. Football is full of big strikers who fall over their own feet. not saying he might not be good, but wait until he's played a few times then make a judgement.
Ripe seagull. says...
9:14am Thu 17 Jan 13