Smith brings ‘in’ total to six but there could be more
BURTON Albion completed their second signing in a day late on Friday evening as Bristol City winger Jonny Smith signed a permanent deal.
The Mail reported then that Smith looked set to sign and he joined Tom Hamer, who also signed permanently. Both have agreed two-and-ahalf-year deals.
Both players worked under Burton assistant manager Dino Maamria with Oldham Athletic last season. Hamer, 21, had spent his whole career with the Latics, while Smith was on a season-long loan.
This season, he began a seasonlong loan with Swindon Town and impressed, scoring a goal, when the Robins beat Burton 4-2.
That loan was cut short, clearly when Burton’s interest in a permanent deal firmed up.
”We’re very happy with the signing of Jonny Smith. He will offer us something that we don’t already have in the house,” said manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
“He’s a left-footed winger who can get past someone, is a good crosser of the ball and is good in one versus one situations. We’re glad he’s chosen us and we believe that he has a bright future ahead.”
Smith is eager to meet his new team-mates and get started: “It feels great to be here, it’s a fantastic club,” he told the club’s website.
“I’m left-footed, I’m quick, I’ll always try to get at players and make it exciting for the fans. Goals are a big part of my game and I want to score them for Burton Albion now.”
Hasselbaink has spoken of the need for more creativity going forward as well as more solidity in defence and he has wasted no time in tackling both issues.
His January tally now stands at six arrivals. Goalkeeper Dillon Barnes, midfielder Sean Clare, defender Hayden Carter and forward Josh Parker had arrived before the weekend double swoop.
In the other direction since Hasselbaink’s arrival have gone loanees Teddy Sharman-lowe, Indiana Vassilev and Niall Ennis, while Stephen Quinn and Neal Eardley also left on loan and Steven Lawless has left permanently.
Eight players have left in total, the loans of Jack Roles and Sam Hughes being concluded before Hasselbaibk came in.
The wave of transfer activity prompted some supporters to wonder “where is the money coming from all of a sudden?” but that is at least to an extent answered by the fact that the number who have gone out so far exceeds the number coming in.
Friday was a big statement of intent from the new manager and from chairman Ben Robinson, given the length of the deals given to Smith and Hamer.
Both fit the bill as young players with something to prove, Hamer in a step up from his only club so far and Smith with a permanent deal after a string of loans from Bristol City, where he did not play a senior game.
Today’s transfer deadline day may well be busy, too. There are strong rumours that Burton are set to sign Preston North End defender Josh Earl on loan and speculation that a number of players may yet depart the Pirelli Stadium.