Celtic yet to make move for Albion boss Tony Mowbray

May 28 2009 by Robert Tanner, Birmingham Post

“First of all because I played in every game, and then because I settled pretty quickly into English football, which is quicker than French football. It also helped me make a name for myself in the Premier League.

“The support is huge up there. Despite the fact that we were bottom of the league, the stadium was always sold out.”

Mowbray said last week that an agreement with Nancy was close and that he was confident a deal could be done quickly to stave off the growing interest in Fortune.

Meanwhile, teenage striker Chris Wood has signed his first professional contract and Mowbray revealed other youngsters could also be offered deals.

The 17-year-old has penned a two-year deal, plus a further two years’ option in the club’s favour.

Wood’s contract completes a rapid rise to prominence for the young Auckland-born ace, who is set to link up with the senior New Zealand squad for their forthcoming appearance at the Confederations Cup.

“I’m delighted that Chris has been rewarded with his contract,” said Mowbray. “Hopefully, he’s the first of a handful of young players who will be signing pro contracts over the summer.

“We feel the future is very bright for the players who are now starting to emerge from the Academy.”

Wood, who made his second Barclays Premier League appearance late on at Blackburn, was joined on the bench at Ewood Park by two Academy team-mates, Young Player of the Year Paul Downing and attacking midfielder Romaine Sawyers.

Striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu was also in the travelling party but didn’t make the final 18.

Wood only joined the Academy last summer but has since cut his teeth at under-18, reserves and Premier League level, making a surprise senior debut as a substitute at Portsmouth.

He has also enjoyed a fairytale call-up to New Zealand’s squad for next month’s Confederations Cup in South Africa.