Newcastle Eagles have clinched the signature of Great Britain star Richard Midgley for the forthcoming 2007/08 BBL season. The point guard becomes the first name on the Eagles roster as player coach Fab Flournoy steps up his summer recruitment programme in a bid to add to the seven trophies he has guided the club to during the last three seasons.

The point guard is currently preparing with the Great Britain squad for the forthcoming European Qualifiers and will join his new team-mates ahead of the new season. Flournoy can’t wait to begin working with the University of California graduate and has explained why he has been working overtime to clinch the signature of the man who hails from Burgess Hill.

He said “Richard is a great addition to our team and he will provide stability in the important point guard position. It took quite some time to get him but it was worth the wait for another quality English player.” “He is a dynamic player who will make his own mark on our team and is gaining valuable experience playing with talented players in the Great Britain squad so it’s all good for us.” “It’s definitely exciting to have a player of his calibre at the club and we look forward to adding a few more.”

Eagles Managing Director Paul Blake is also delighted with the capture of the 24 year old after a lengthy chase to land the player.

“This is a fantastic first name to add to our roster and we are thrilled that Richard has agreed to join us. I imagine that our supporters will be pretty pleased and it is certainly one of our most satisfying deals to date.” “It also highlights our ambition and desire to build on the success of recent years and it is terrific that one of the best British talents has chosen to play in the BBL this season.” “I think it is particularly pleasing for our club to be signing yet another British player with real pedigree and also a national team player that all of us are looking forward to watching deliver for club and country.”

Eagles fans can expect a host of further player announcements in the next couple of weeks as the 2007/08 team begins to take shape.