Post by bluecamel on Jul 2, 2024 10:58:42 GMT
Leyton Orient head coach Richie Wellens has claimed that Bristol Rovers are paying new forward Ruel Sotiriou "40 per cent more" than their highest earner after the 23-year-old opted to join the Gas upon the expiry of his contract in East London.
Sotiriou came through the youth system at the O's before going on to make 172 first team appearances, helping Wellens' side to promotion from League Two two seasons ago before scoring 11 league goals last term as they finished 11th in League One.
However, despite being offered a new contract, the Cyprus international opted for a new challenge, becoming one of seven new signings announced by Rovers so far this summer. From Wellen's view though, the finances the Gas were able to offer the forward played a major part in their capture of him.
The Orient boss was conducting his first interview of pre-season with club media and was asked for his reaction to the O's' fixtures with a tough opening trio at home to Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham City either side of a trip to Charlton Athletic. "That just shows the level that we're at now and the level that some of these clubs are dropping down to which is exciting but it's also difficult," he responded.
"We have to respect that some of these clubs have got...we've just lost Ruel Sotiriou to Bristol Rovers who I see as a similar size club to us. Similar attendances to last season. They've paid him 40 per cent more than our highest earner so that just goes to show that the league that we're in is really tough. So we need to drag everything out of other aspects."
League One is expected to be the most competitive it has been for years, if not ever, with Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United relegated from the Championship while promoted Stockport County and Wrexham are expected to be well backed financially. Additionally, other former Premier League clubs such as Bolton, Wigan Athletic, Charlton, Blackpool and Reading are still in the third tier.
Optimism has grown amongst Gasheads ahead of the new season on the back of seven signings with Sotiriou in particular an addition supporters are extremely excited about. The 23-year-old is one of four new players who has signed a three-year contract in BS7 with all seven having the option of a further season included in their deals.
Leyton Orient boss makes wages point when discussing Bristol Rovers' capture of Ruel Sotiriou (msn.com)
Sotiriou came through the youth system at the O's before going on to make 172 first team appearances, helping Wellens' side to promotion from League Two two seasons ago before scoring 11 league goals last term as they finished 11th in League One.
However, despite being offered a new contract, the Cyprus international opted for a new challenge, becoming one of seven new signings announced by Rovers so far this summer. From Wellen's view though, the finances the Gas were able to offer the forward played a major part in their capture of him.
The Orient boss was conducting his first interview of pre-season with club media and was asked for his reaction to the O's' fixtures with a tough opening trio at home to Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham City either side of a trip to Charlton Athletic. "That just shows the level that we're at now and the level that some of these clubs are dropping down to which is exciting but it's also difficult," he responded.
"We have to respect that some of these clubs have got...we've just lost Ruel Sotiriou to Bristol Rovers who I see as a similar size club to us. Similar attendances to last season. They've paid him 40 per cent more than our highest earner so that just goes to show that the league that we're in is really tough. So we need to drag everything out of other aspects."
League One is expected to be the most competitive it has been for years, if not ever, with Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United relegated from the Championship while promoted Stockport County and Wrexham are expected to be well backed financially. Additionally, other former Premier League clubs such as Bolton, Wigan Athletic, Charlton, Blackpool and Reading are still in the third tier.
Optimism has grown amongst Gasheads ahead of the new season on the back of seven signings with Sotiriou in particular an addition supporters are extremely excited about. The 23-year-old is one of four new players who has signed a three-year contract in BS7 with all seven having the option of a further season included in their deals.
Leyton Orient boss makes wages point when discussing Bristol Rovers' capture of Ruel Sotiriou (msn.com)
