Ricketts Signs For Tigers

It is believed that the Tigers tabled a bid of 325k to activate a release clause in the Welsh defenders contract with Swansea.

Ricketts is a hightly rated defender who is comfortable on either flank, he was given his international debut last season by Welsh manager John Toshack.

The 24yr old defender said: ‘The chance to play in the Championship was something I couldn’t turn down at this stage, what if the chance never came around again?

‘I thought about spending another season at Swansea to try to win promotion, but there’s no guarantee of that.

‘I owe Swansea a lot for helping me earn international recognition, but hopefully the move will only help my Wales career.’

Swansea manager Kenny Jackett added ‘Obviously I’m biased, but I believe his career would have been better served staying at Swansea. ‘He’s settled here, well-valued, and has pretty much an automatic place.

‘I wouldn’t say he’s risking his international place, but there’s been a lot of focus on him playing in Wales and that has helped his security in the squad.I’d have liked him to have one more crack at promotion here. If we’d failed, other offers would have come in.’

Ricketts becomes manager Phil Parkinsons second signing of the summer after the capture of Brentford defender Michael Turner last week. It is thought that there may be another two big signings coming up in the next few days.