Matt Smith: Boss welcomes striker signing
leedsunited.com 10/6/13
United manager delighted with his first signing...
United boss Brian McDermott was delighted to capture the signature of striker Matt Smith.
The 24-year-old joins from Oldham Athletic on July 1 after finalising a deal on Monday morning to become the manager's first signing.
"I'm really pleased," said the boss.
"I've known him for a little while. He's come on to the scene in a short space of time, and I like his background, the way he's been brought up, he's done his studying, he went to Oldham, he's played against some big sides and done very, very well.
"He got Player of the Month in April and he's a good acquisition for our squad."
The boss has an impressive success rate with developing talent from lower divisions, Dave Kitson and Adam Le Fondre being two strikers to take their careers on to the next level following his recruitment.
"Matt's from a league below and we're looking for someone with potential, who can be better, can play in the team, and who the fans can take to," said the boss.
"I've got a really good vibe about him. He's not here to sit around and do nothing, he's hungry to do well and achieve. I said we want hungry players to come into the club. They're the players were talking to; players who want to achieve something. There'll be no players coming here who don't have that."
At six foot six, Matt brings added height to the squad.
"It's a major asset, but it doesn't mean to say we'll be smashing long balls in," said the boss.
"He can take it in, hold it up, you saw his goal against Everton from a set-play. His movement is good. He's a work in progress, but he's not an 18-year-old work in progress. He's done well in games and we feel he is a good asset."
The boss also believes the striker's early grounding of a life away from football will stand him in good stead as he looks to develop his career at Elland Road.
"He knows the other side of life," he said. "He's worked in different places and seen different things. It's very similar to Dave Kitson who we signed at Reading from Cambridge United. He'd worked in a different part of life before football.
"When I spoke to Matt - and it's very important to speak with players before you sign them - and looked into his eyes, you could see that when he comes into training every day he appreciates the environment he's in and what he does for a living."
United vice-chairman Salah Nooruddin was also quick to welcome Matt to Elland Road and he added: "We're delighted that Matt has agreed to join us and we look forward to him joining us formally on July 1."
United manager delighted with his first signing...
United boss Brian McDermott was delighted to capture the signature of striker Matt Smith.
The 24-year-old joins from Oldham Athletic on July 1 after finalising a deal on Monday morning to become the manager's first signing.
"I'm really pleased," said the boss.
"I've known him for a little while. He's come on to the scene in a short space of time, and I like his background, the way he's been brought up, he's done his studying, he went to Oldham, he's played against some big sides and done very, very well.
"He got Player of the Month in April and he's a good acquisition for our squad."
The boss has an impressive success rate with developing talent from lower divisions, Dave Kitson and Adam Le Fondre being two strikers to take their careers on to the next level following his recruitment.
"Matt's from a league below and we're looking for someone with potential, who can be better, can play in the team, and who the fans can take to," said the boss.
"I've got a really good vibe about him. He's not here to sit around and do nothing, he's hungry to do well and achieve. I said we want hungry players to come into the club. They're the players were talking to; players who want to achieve something. There'll be no players coming here who don't have that."
At six foot six, Matt brings added height to the squad.
"It's a major asset, but it doesn't mean to say we'll be smashing long balls in," said the boss.
"He can take it in, hold it up, you saw his goal against Everton from a set-play. His movement is good. He's a work in progress, but he's not an 18-year-old work in progress. He's done well in games and we feel he is a good asset."
The boss also believes the striker's early grounding of a life away from football will stand him in good stead as he looks to develop his career at Elland Road.
"He knows the other side of life," he said. "He's worked in different places and seen different things. It's very similar to Dave Kitson who we signed at Reading from Cambridge United. He'd worked in a different part of life before football.
"When I spoke to Matt - and it's very important to speak with players before you sign them - and looked into his eyes, you could see that when he comes into training every day he appreciates the environment he's in and what he does for a living."
United vice-chairman Salah Nooruddin was also quick to welcome Matt to Elland Road and he added: "We're delighted that Matt has agreed to join us and we look forward to him joining us formally on July 1."
