Motherwell chairman Jim McMahon has explained why the club has ‘mixed emotions’ on David Turnbull moving to Celtic.
The 21-year-old midfielder has completed a life-changing switch to Celtic Park from Lanarkshire, the Well’s previous £1.75 million record fee being blown away. It’s believed Turnbull has moved to Glasgow for £3 million, although the fee is undisclosed.
The fan who lived the dream and now leaves behind a legacy.
Thanks for everything, @10DavidTurnbull. pic.twitter.com/QQT42ePEb2
— Motherwell FC (@MotherwellFC) August 27, 2020
It’s a big blow for Motherwell but there are no hard feelings, with Turnbull doing his bit by signing a contract extension to ensure his boyhood club weren’t out of pocket when he did go.
A transfer 14 months in the making after a deal to take Turnbull to Parkhead last summer fell through due to a knee issue flagged in the medical, the promising star has started this term well after missing almost all of last season with injury. McMahon watches him go with a heavy heart, but is equally delighted for the playmaker.
“It is with mixed emotions that we have agreed to sell David Turnbull to Celtic FC,” McMahon said. “David leaves us for a fee nearly double our previous record transfer.
Big sale. (Photo by Ewan Bootman/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“David is the latest in a long line of players who have developed with us. Marvin Johnson, Ben Heneghan, Louis Moult, Cédric Kipré and James Scott are recent success stories in what we set out to achieve. We provide talented players with a platform to showcase and enhance their abilities.
“Our continued success in that area is huge testament to our manager Stephen Robinson, his coaching staff, our academy staff and our scouting and recruitment department. In this particular case, significant tribute must also be paid to David Henderson, our head physiotherapist, for his outstanding dedication to David’s physical and mental rehabilitation over the last 12 months.
“As chairman, I am delighted with this clear vindication of our strategy. For the health and prosperity of our fan-owned club, we must continue on this path. As a fan, I also feel the loss of such talented individuals who contribute to our success on the pitch. Everyone at the club does, particularly our manager. Stephen has performed phenomenally across his almost four years in charge.
Turnbull moves to Celtic Park. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
“The money we receive for David will allow us in part to build up the strategic reserve, which helps secure and sustain us through such difficult and uncertain times. But this is also an opportunity to invest in the infrastructure, for example our training ground, academy and other facilities, with a view to providing an even-better environment for player development.
“We wish David every success for the future. He is a local boy who has supported this club all of his life and has given us many memorable moments on the pitch. His agreement to extend his contract is a testament to his integrity and in doing so he secured the club’s interests as well as his own.”