The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Clarke-Harris will be a crucial piece of the promotion puzzle
Posh - Signing number six of the summer at the Weston Homes Stadium
Posh are confident they have found a crucial piece in their League One promotion puzzle.
Striker Jonson Clarke-Harris was manager Darren Ferguson’s number one choice to replace departing star Ivan Toney and he’s got him, for a not inconsiderable transfer fee in the region of £1 million.
Clarke-Harris averaged better than a goal every other game for Bristol Rovers before rejecting the chance to become the highest paid player at the Memorial Stadium in favour of a switch to Posh.
Ferguson was naturally delighted as was co-owner Darragh Mac Anthony and the 26-year-old forward himself.
“I could have stayed where I was,” Clarke-Harris admitted. “They made me a good offer, but I have moved for football reasons. I have joined a better club with better players who have a betterchanceof reaching the Championship.
“I’m confident I can slot right into the side. They play in a way that excites me with lots of pace and an attacking tempo which suits me.
“The manager has told me to work hard and just play like I did for Bristol Rovers and why shouldn’t I?
“My record speaks for itself in the last twoseasons. Everyone knows what I can do now and I can’ t wait to show the Peterborough fans on the pitch .”
It’s actually a second stint at London Road for ClarkeHarris. He moved to Posh as a teenager when Coventry City declined to offer him a pro deal, but he failed to make a single appearance for manager Darren Ferguson’s 2012-13 side before moving on to Oldham.
“I was a kid with no clue when I was here before,” Clarke-Harris added.
“I’ve been around a lot of
clubs, butI’ve learnt whattype of player I am now. I believe in my ability now.
“I want to score goals and create goals, but most importantly I want to help the team win promotion.”
The scoring record of Clarke-Harris at Rovers –he netted 16 times before lockdown last season – inevitably attracted plenty of suitors. The fact he was about to enter the last year of his contract meant Rovers were vulnerable to an approach.
Charlton, then of the Championship, wererebuffed last January and one of League One’s biggest clubs, Ipswich Town, backed off when told the asking price this summer.
“He was my number one target so I am delighted we have Jon son ,” Ferguson stated .“We had a list of three targets, but Jon son was at the top.
“His goalscoring record at
Rovers over the last two seasons is very impressive.
“And he will give us the physicality we will lose when Ivan Toney leaves.
“Sometimes when you are not playing well, you need an out ball, and Jonson will give us that option with his pace and strength.
“I now have four top-class forwards with Mo Eisa, Siriki Dembele, Ricky-Jade Jones and Jonson all complementing each other.
“Jonson has maturedsince I had him as a kid. His game has really developed and we can develop him further.
“He has a terrific left foot and he is decent at set-pieces and penalties. He is ready to step up and help a team win promotion from League One.
“I am absolutely delighted the owners have allowed me to bring him in. He is going to be a big signing for this football club.”
The Bristol Post reported the transfer fee for ClarkeHarris was £1.25 million which would have made him the joint second most expensive Posh purchase alongside Britt Assombalonga.
Mo Eisa, who could end up battling for a starting place with Clarke- Harris, is the club record signing at a reported £1.3 million, but Posh insist the Bristol Post figure is too high.
“It’s a great signing,” enthused MacAnthony.
“Jon son is the sort of player defenders hate playing against because he’s physical andvery quick.”