Former Manchester United and Cardiff City keeper Tom Heaton 'very disappointed' not to be joining Watford

3:29pm Friday 6th July 2012 in Watford FC News Photograph of the Author By Frank Smith, Deputy Group Sports Editor

Picture: Action Images Picture: Action Images

Tom Heaton admits he is “very disappointed” his move to Watford has fallen through but is confident he will find a new club shortly.

Heaton was out of contract after rejecting a new deal at Cardiff City because he wanted to secure regular first team football.

Watford agreed a deal with the 26-year-old despite interest from a number of other Championship clubs and the player had passed his medical.

However, the deal could not be concluded until the takeover was complete, which took place last Friday.

Heaton expected the deal to be concluded this week but the new regime decided they did not want to sign the player.

Speaking exclusively to the Watford Observer this afternoon, Heaton said: “It was a bit of a nightmare. I had passed the medical and everything had been agreed but then it was stopped at the final hurdle.

“The previous owners couldn’t complete the deal due to the takeover which is understandable.

“But I am very disappointed not to be going there after thinking it was done and dusted.

“Sean Dyche and Alec Chamberlain were brilliant but unfortunately the circumstances changed and I will just have to deal with it.

“It is disappointing not to be going there but these things happen and I will move on.

“There are other clubs interested so I’m sure something else will come up.”

Heaton spent five years at Old Trafford as a professional but did not make a competitive appearance for the Red Devils; spending most of his time out on loan, with spells at Swindon Town, Belgian side Royal Antwerp, Cardiff, Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.

He returned to Cardiff to sign a permanent deal in June 2010 and was often first choice goalkeeper during his first season at the club.

However, the Bluebirds were blessed to have two very good goalkeepers and when Malky Mackay arrived last summer, he was keen to have a settled number one and David Marshall just edged ahead of Heaton during pre-season.

Heaton did play in the cup competitions though and was instrumental in Cardiff reaching the Carling Cup final, which they lost to Liverpool on penalties.

Comments(16)

ralear49 says...
3:47pm Fri 6 Jul 12

perhaps they have a 16 year old Italian in mind

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Chris the Vic says...
3:56pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Or perhaps they feel we need a keeper better than the Cardiff second string.

Interesting that it appears someone has made a decision though. Do we have a manager? Presumably this confirms Dyche has gone or having purchased the club are the Pozzos borassic!

Certainly they believe in the Opaque style of management and to hell with transparency.

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bigthunder says...
4:05pm Fri 6 Jul 12

I have not being saying a lot regarding recent events but anybody that thinks Sean Dyche is still involved at WFC IS IN DREAMLAND , he has gone that is a FACT not sharing how i know but he has GONE

just be patient all will be revealed very soon , beter days are ahead, the gloom has lifted tough on Dyche i accept but time to move on

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dolly33 says...
4:35pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Have they got what they consider a superior goalkeeper lined up ?

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buckler says...
4:44pm Fri 6 Jul 12

If they have been watching games and know anything about football they must realise a keeper is a priority!

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The Jamie Hand Stand says...
5:08pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Sorry if I have missed the press release but has Alec Chamberlain left the club?

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aussihornet says...
5:30pm Fri 6 Jul 12

We need a keeper, i only just realized why I haven't seen Loach on Twitter recently. He blocked me haha, after I criticized him after a game. Muppet.

We improved when Tomaz came in, Loach cost us loads more points then he saved us from these past 18months.

Let ship him out, get someone with TK stature in!

Shame btw, this guy Heaton is pretty decent.

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grahamwfc says...
6:01pm Fri 6 Jul 12

It's gonna be Buffon following Baz the Buffoon

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lovestospouge says...
8:21pm Fri 6 Jul 12

Why sin Heaton and pa him 5 granda week when you have Loach and Bond?

Watford have a decnt back line it the wingers and strikers that need soting from what ive seen?

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bushey tales says...
9:01pm Fri 6 Jul 12

I'm struggling but maybe......'Why sign Heaton and pay him 5 grand a week when you have Loach and Bond? Watford have a decent back line - it's the wingers and strikers that need shooting from what I've seen.' Or possibly sorting.

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TACTONE says...
7:49am Sat 7 Jul 12

Loach is the best young goalkeeper in the Championship, for two seasons running he kept Watford in the Championship and possibly saved Malky from being sack at Christmas. Alex Chamberlin has done him no favors and Sean just never liked him. Tomas never did anything Loach couldn't do and if you look at the last game of the season Loach proved he has come back bigger and stronger. You are all expecting a million pounds for Loach if he goes, when in reality the Management team killed him, dont get me wrong he needed a break and Tomas came in and did a job, but he has never given a Man of the Match performance, which Loach has done on many occasions. You so called fans that knock the players when under performing and then want to stand and big your self up next to them out side the grounds need to get a grip. Loach could of left the club long before now, but stayed to under the advice of Malky and Brendon? Watford went to the biggest club in the World to find a replacement, and lets be perfectly honest, Tomas was no better than Loach, so where do you think Watford are going to get a goalkeeper in Loaches class without paying serious money? 200 league games and 17 Internationals does make you a bad keep at 23. Lets hope the summer break and new coaching staff can see Loach perform at his best.
Remember would he come and pay to watch you at work??
Lets start a fresh and see what the new season brings, if Loach goes he will come back and haunt us, as they always do.

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Paul Gadd says...
11:08am Sat 7 Jul 12

Unlucky Tom, hope you do well somewhere else- apart from when you play us.
Atleast you wanted to play for us, unlike Mcginn who had months to re-sign but didnt- what a muppet!

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southernhornet says...
11:14am Sat 7 Jul 12

Disappointed Heaton is exactly the type of keeper we needed. Kusczak would have been number one choice but that was always going to be hard to do. So Heaton would have been perfect.

I'm not sure about a goalkeeper who hasn't played in England before and I am even more unsure about Loach

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smalon says...
3:11pm Sat 7 Jul 12

It's a shame as the lad is decent and whether you are a Loach fan or not, everyone should agree that we need another senior keeper at the club.
Still it's probably for the best as when Zola (or whoever) takes charge they will want to sign their own players.
At least he didn't throw a tantrum and just accepted it as one of those things.

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buckler says...
4:50pm Sat 7 Jul 12

I would like to see loach prove me wrong but I don't think he will ever be a great keeper! Yes he pulls off some great saves but that really is about it! He actually looks like an outfield player forced in goal and as for bottle forgot it! New keeper please.

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mickallen57 says...
5:43pm Sat 7 Jul 12

We have had some great keepers Pat Jennings, Tony Cotton,David James,Andy Rankin and Mickey Walker not to mention Alex Chamberlin, but we have to say Loach ,Lee and Gilmartin were average at best.Maybe the new bosses have their eye on an import from darkest Peru or somewhere to keep goal while we trundell on into the Prem welcome Paddington Bear COYH

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