Free Agent - Graeme Murty

Skysports.com looks at the summer's transfer bargains

Last updated: 30th July 2009  

Free Agent - Graeme Murty
Graeme Murty's football CV

Age: 34
Place of Birth: Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough, England
Position: Defender
Clubs: York City, Reading, Charlton (loan)
Notes: A full Scotland international, experienced right-back Murty has proved himself to be a consistent and classy campaigner over the past decade. A proven top-flight performer, Murty was previously Reading captain and has leadership qualities in spades.

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Free agent Graeme Murty is hoping to win a move to Southampton after ending his long association with Reading.

The 34-year-old was released by Reading at the end of last season after over ten years at the Berkshire club.

Murty, who has his testimonial at Reading later this month, admits he was disappointed, but not surprised at being told he was no longer wanted by new Royals boss Brendan Rodgers and he is determined to prove that he still has a lot to offer.

"It's disappointing, I wasn't totally surprised but the club is going in a new direction with a new manager, new ethos and it will be interesting to see how they cope with that this year," Murty told Sky Sports.

"It is an unusual situation for me to be in [being a free agent] as I have not been here before, but Southampton have been gracious enough to allow me come down to train.

"I have played a couple of practice matches with the squad and hopefully I can show the team what I am made of."

Open to offers

Murty insists he is open to all offers and that it is a big challenge for him to find a new club for the start of the new season.

"I have got a totally open mind. I have said before it has to be the right package, it has to be the right challenge for me," he added.

"I have still got things to prove to myself; still got things I want to prove to people who let me go last year so it's going to be a big, big thing for me.

"I am looking at it as a big challenge to go and prove my worth once again."

Murty also paid tribute to his agent for setting up the trial at Southampton and he is happy with how it has gone so far at St Mary's.

"What you do when you get told you've been released, you get on the phone to your agent you scream down the phone to him for a while saying 'find me a job'.

"My agent has been brilliant. He has kept me really, really calm, kept my mind focused and more importantly he has got me to do a pre-season somewhere that's taking real good care of me at Southampton.

"I have the added advantage of coming into Southampton, I've had an organised pre-season, worked really hard with the players there and I think that is the best thing for me rather than doing it at home."

Bright future

Murty admits he would jump at the chance of a move to the Saints, feeling the future is bright following the takeover of the club by Swiss businessman Markus Liebherr.

"It's a massive club. It's an exciting place to be as well if you look at the guy who has just taken over.

"He has got a lot of money to spend, has got a definite idea about where they want to go but it is also a big challenge with the ten-point deficit.

"They are also trying to scrap their way back up through the leagues and it is something that would be an exciting project to be part of."

We'd like to hear your thoughts on the best free transfers out there. Who should we be talking to? Who are this summer's bargains? Who should your club be targeting?

Maybe you're a player that would like to be featured, or an agent looking to get a client fixed up for next season.

To offer your suggestions fill in the feedback form or email alex.dunn@bskyb.com

Comments (10)

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Andy Haddon (Newcastle United fan) says...

Very suprised that Murty has been released and I think this will have a similar feel to when Preston sold Graham Alexander to Burnley because they thought he was finished...only for Alexander to lead Burnley to the promise land of the premiership. We'll have him at Newcastle as we're desparate for committed defenders and respectable professionals to teach the young 'hollywood' spice boys at the club how to behave.

Posted 23:51 25th July 2009

Martin Jones (Bristol City fan) says...

HE'S M-U-R-T-Y HE'S M-U-R-T-Y he knows he is he's M-U-R-T-Y!!! murts you are a legend around reading and thanks to you we have seen 2 years off prem football and have wacthed some great games off yours i hope you find a descent team and wish you all the best for the future

Posted 20:46 25th July 2009

Robbie Webster (Reading fan) says...

Thank You Murts for your time at Reading,you were a great pro and roll model for the young kids of today.you firing in that penalty against Derby ,i will remember for ever

Posted 16:33 25th July 2009

Ginger Saint (Southampton fan) says...

Readings loss is definately Saints gain. He has played well in the pre season freindlies and in particullar against Ajax. Saints are desperate for players like Graeme. Fingers crossed he will be offered the right deal and lead the mighty red army back to winning ways. COME ON YOU REDS!!

Posted 21:02 24th July 2009

Andy Ball (Arsenal fan) says...

Notts County seem to have their targets set high, maybe Graeme Murty could join the revolution.

Posted 13:44 24th July 2009

Chris Sherman (Reading fan) says...

Murts deserves to find another club where he can offer his skill and total professionalism. Nicky Hammond, Director of Football at the Royals along with John Madejski should be ashamed at the way they have treated Murts. He has been extremely loyal, involved in excellent local community and charity work and absolutely loves the club. He is exactly the type of person who should have been retained to help guide the young players both in football matters and how to behave as a decent human being. Good Luck MURTS and one day hopefully you will come back to us in some capacity, maybe as Director of Football!?!?

Posted 12:22 24th July 2009

Paul Atkins (Reading fan) says...

I was indeed sad to see Murty leave us. As Murts has sky sports links he should form a Reading legends team for the 5 a-side championship Sky show. After seeing Salako bombing down the at Murty's testimonial, he would also want to play! Make it happen Sky! Thank you Murty for the best years of my life seeing you as captain. I was disappointed not to get Murts autograph on my programme for his Testmimonial so if he can find a club soon so i can meet him, it would be appreiciated! Anyone signing Murts would not regret it that's for sure!

Posted 12:09 24th July 2009

David Powers (Reading fan) says...

Murty is in a dying breed of footballers left in the game, a true legend that has been 100% behind Reading through good & bad times. Anyone that ever met him will know hes a sound guy & I wish him the best of luck wherever he plays next season.

Posted 23:49 23rd July 2009

Kevin West (Reading fan) says...

i think madejsky should look at himself after releasing the best captain reading ever had sir murty, hes a born leader and he be great on and off the pitch. his leadership with the rest of the club lead us to the promise land. which i found very bias to the top four, i wish murty and his family all the best for future kev hes m u r t y leaderrrrrrrrrrrr

Posted 19:32 23rd July 2009

Hugh King (Reading fan) says...

Murty is a legend and it's a real shame that Reading released him and I believe we'll regret it in the long-term. He has a lot to offer any team on and off the pitch. Southampton should grab him quick. I, along with thousand of Reading fans wish him all the best and look forward to the day when he returns to our club in any capacity in the future.

Posted 18:18 23rd July 2009
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