Following the speculation surrounding Blackpool’s chase for Fleetwood Town striker Jamille Matt, that came to pass the other day.
The 26 year old striker became new manager Gary Bowyer’s first capture since taking the job on the other day, and with seven goals in 14 appearances for Plymouth Argyle whilst on loan as they made the Play Off final this year, he moves to us on a free transfer following the expiry of his contract.
The deal is official come July 1.
Speaking to the Official Site with the deal announced, Matt explained.
‘I spoke to the manager on the phone a couple of times and the excitement in his voice of what he wants to do this season is something that attracted me. I want to be part of a team that is challenging at the top of the league to try and get promoted. We’ve got the opportunity next season to try and bounce straight back and we’ve got some good players here already. If I can complement those players, hopefully we’ll be back where we want to be.’
In January 2013 Matt became Fleetwood’s then record signing as he joined from Kidderminster Harriers, and his record now stands at 105 starts, 53 substitute appearances and a return of 46 goals.
He did suffer a serious injury in the 2014/15 campaign and he missed the year, so he no doubt wants to make up for lost time, and he’ll consider himself unlikely to have had the injury blight his progress.
Bowyer said of the capture.
‘Jamille fits the profile for the type of striker I wanted to bring to the club – he’s strong, powerful, determined and, most importantly, knows where the goal is. He finished the season in fine form for Plymouth and we’ll be looking for him to hit the ground running when the players return for pre-season.’
In a follow up interview, Matt went on to talk about last season, his development from the non league and his hopes for the future.
‘I showed a bit of what I can do towards the end of last season, my next goal now is to do that over the full season and try and get a good amount of goals to try and help the team to promotion.’
Having missed out on promotion with Plymouth at Wembley last month, he went on to say.
‘I was gutted at the end of the season, it was one of my worst moments in football what happened there. But that’s something that drives me on for next season because I don’t want to feel that again.’
He ended by saying.
‘I like to think I’m physical and a threat all the way through the game. I try to play quite high and occupy the centre-halves. The strikers that are here at the club I think will complement myself and hopefully we’ll be able to score a few goals and be at the top end of the table.’
