Seaman hangs up boots as James arrives at City

David Seaman last night completed his final act of an illustrious career by advising Manchester City to sign the man who ousted him from the England team.

Seaman’s retirement was almost automatic once it became clear that City boss Kevin Keegan had succeeded in his pursuit of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s current number one David James.

Having originally targeted James during the summer, Keegan made his move again earlier in the week as Seaman assessed the damage inflicted to his shoulder by Portsmouth’s Aiyegbeni Yakubu at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Providing James passes his medical today, he will link up with his new club in time for Saturday’s crucial Premiership encounter with Blackburn at Eastlands as Seaman makes plans to pass on his skills to budding young keepers of the future.

“After deciding to retire it was a pleasure to recommend David James,” said Seaman. “I know the position is in safe hands.

“It has become clear to me that this type of shoulder injury will not quickly disappear and, after much discussion with my family and those in the game whose views I respect, I think now would be a good time to hang up my boots.”

Hindsight may suggest Seaman should have bowed out last summer, when Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger decided he was no longer capable of filling the number one slot at Highbury.

At 40, and with 75 England caps, Seaman’s abilities were on the wane by the time he arrived at Eastlands and he never looked likely to emulate the achievements of Peter Schmeichel who succeeded in winning over the sceptical City fans with some outstanding performances during his year with the club.

However, despite his poor form, Keegan had nothing but praise for Seaman and his efforts to secure a replacement. “This has been a difficult decision for David but I fully respect it,” said the former England boss.

Getting Seaman’s huge salary off the wage bill, plus the recent departures of Eyal Berkovic and Darren Huckerby, gave Keegan the financial flexibility to recruit James, likely to be England’s keeper at this summer’s European Championships.

“David James is a tremendous acquisition,” said Keegan.

“We have been looking to strengthen the goalkeeping position and to secure the England number one is terrific news.”