By Matt Storey
Fulham have secured the signing of goalkeeper David Button from local rivals Brentford for an undisclosed fee.
Button described the move as an “easy decision”, despite making 141 appearances for the Bee’s in the last three years.
He has been handed a three-year deal with the option of extending it for a further 12 months and the 27-year-old was looking forward to getting started.
“Of course, it’s a part of life the competition,” Button said when asked about his impending battle with Marcus Bettinelli for the number one spot
“I think it needs to be there though if a team is ultimately going to do well.
“There’s a lot of talent here and if we apply ourselves properly there is no reason we can’t be successful.”
Button didn’t miss a single minute of the each of Brentford’s last two seasons, helping them into the play-offs in the 2014-2015 season and ninth last season.
He is the second Brentford player to move to a West London rival this year after Jake Bidwell moved to QPR but Director of Football Phil GIles is confident the club will benefit in the long run.
“I understand if there are some fans who will be disappointed that we have sold a player to our local rivals,” GIles explained.
“However, I’m confident that we’ve made a decision that is in the best long term interests of the Club.”
Brentford snapped up highly rated keeper Daniel Bentley from Southend United earlier this summer and he looks to be the favourite to take over as Brentford’s first choice.
Button will return to Griffin Park on Bonfire Night in what is sure to be a fiery local derby.