Harriers duo can make a big impact at Notts
MIDFIELDER AND DEFENDER ARRIVE AT MEADOW LANE
NOTTS County have announced the signings of Kidderminster Harriers duo Sam Austin and Geraldo Bajrami.
Austin leaves the National League North side after 220 appearances since arriving from Burton Albion in 2016. The Kiddy captain impressed last season in their FA Cup run and was named in the league’s Team of the Season, alongside fellow signings Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott, with 13 goals and nine assists.
Former Birmingham City defender Bajrami, 22, has followed Austin to Meadow Lane on a free transfer after an outstanding first season at the club, with the two clubs agreeing a compensation fee. The Albanian captained Blues’ Under-18s and Under-23s before making his professional debut in 2019 and experienced the lower leagues with a loan move to Solihull Moors.
Austin joins on a three-year deal after the Magpies triggered a release clause and head coach Williams is confident that the 25-year-old will please the County supporters. He said: “I don’t see how, as a fan, you couldn’t get behind this boy.
“He has incredible energy, unbelievable quality and plays without fear.
“Sam’s a scorer of spectacular goals - he’ll take a tap-in but if he’s given a sighter from range he’ll have a crack with either foot. He doesn’t care if the ball’s bouncing or if it’s coming across him, if he has a sniff he will back himself to score,” he added. “Our aim is to take him into the EFL with us, and we know he shares that ambition.
“When you consider the signings of Macaulay Langstaff and Cedwyn Scott and the fact we have Cal Roberts and Ruben Rodrigues, who are quite clearly two of the biggest attacking threats in the division, it’s very exciting to know we have such strong competition in attacking areas.”
The signing of Bajrami means County have added two quality centre-backs this summer following Aden Baldwin’s arrival from MK Dons earlier this week and Williams has shared the same optimism about the former Albania Under-21 international. He said: “Similarly to our other defenders, Geraldo wants to get on the ball and is comfortable stepping forward in possession,” said Williams.
“We also want our defenders to be really aggressive in their attempts to win the ball as high up the pitch and as early as possible, and we’ve seen those qualities in his game as well. It’s fantastic he has that desire ingrained in him.
“Defenders like Geraldo and Aden may not be your stereotypical ‘giants’ compared to some of the other centre backs, but they have more than enough physicality, dynamism, desire and know-how to go poundfor-pound with anyone, while also giving us tremendous composure and quality in our build-up phase.
“Geraldo is also extremely versatile. We’ve seen him comfortably playing on the left and right and we’re sure he’d be more than capable in a central role within a back three.”