‘I jumped at chance to join Stanley’

SHELDAN KEAY

KAYDEN Jackson has revealed he jumped at the opportunity to sign for Accrington Stanley as soon as he heard the club were interested.

The striker has signed a two-year-deal with the club after joining from Barnsley for an undisclosed fee.

He had spent time training with Stanley during the summer, but it was unclear whether or not he would join on a permanent basis.

It looked like the 23-year-old was set to head elsewhere until the Reds made an offer, and he was extremely grateful to make the move to the Wham Stadium.

“I spoke to Barnsley in the summer and, at the end of the day, it was my decision to come out and get a couple of games at Accrington Stanley,” he told the club’s official . website.

“I originally came for two games to try and impress and then got called to feature against Preston as well.

“It was hard especially when you haven’t trained with the team but I worked hard and did what I could in the Huddersfield game and the same with the Everton one.

“Then it’s been a case of waiting for my future to be sorted. One minute, I have been heading down south to sign for a club but when I heard Accrington wanted me I was delighted.”

Jackson doesn’t live too far from Accrington, and he admits he has kept an eye on how the club has been progressing in recent years.

“I live in Bury, I know the area and I follow the teams who have done well in the area,” he said.

“I have seen Accrington have had two good seasons, reaching the play-offs and then just missing out last season.

“They have done well with the size of the club up against some big teams in League Two but it shows the gaffer wants to win, he doesn’t let the players rest as everyone has to believe they can win and it goes a long way, as does hard work.

“I am looking forward to settling into training, working hard and I am delighted the deal is done.”

Jackson had a hit and miss loan spell at Grimsby last season, and he’s hoping to now put that difficult period behind him and kick on with his new club.

“I enjoyed it at Grimsby but the change of manager messed it up for me personally,” he said.

“It was a good spell, I went out and played games and scored goals but I didn’t get as many goals as I would have liked.

“I was playing on the wing mostly and felt like a left wing back at times and things changed with the switch of managers.”