Hard work pays off

JAKE CASSIDY . . . the yound forward was impressed with Athletic boss Darren Kelly’s enthusiasm for the game.

ATHLETIC boss Darren Kelly is delighted to have landed a sought-after striker who is “guaranteed” to score goals for the club.

Twenty two-year-old Jake Cassidy rejected interest from third-tier rivals before agreeing a move from Championship outfit Wolves.

Welshman Cassidy has a decent scoring record in league football and is sure to ruffle a few feathers once the new season begins. He has agreed a two-year contract with the option of a third year.

Kelly said: “It’s great that we’ve managed to get Jake. He was way up on the list of targets and a lot of work behind the scenes had gone on to make the move work. All the reports we had on him were very complimentary.

“Jake has lots of qualities, but crucially he brings something we haven’t already got. He’s got pace, he’s a big lad and a strong athlete, and he works very hard. He can do a lot of the donkey work for players around him, but he will score goals.”

Cassidy is clearly relieved to have been handed an opportunity to make a name for himself following a largely frustrating career at Molineux: “I’ll bring hard work, good football and goals to the team,” he said. “It’s been a difficult couple of years for me, so I want to get some confidence back and enjoy football again. The manager is full of enthusiasm and has told me what he expects from me next season.”

Having progressed through the youth ranks at Wolves, Cassidy went on to make 25 appearances, mostly as a sub. He was loaned out five times, including three successful moves to Tranmere, where he scored 17 goals in 57 outings.

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