Joe’s new challenge

JOE JACOBSON: The full-back has never spoken to Athletic boss Dave Penney.

ATHLETIC have made former Bristol Rovers player Joe Jacobson their third summer signing.

And the 22-year-old left-back, who captained Wales under-21s, revealed that he completed the transfer having never spoken to manager Dave Penney.

The deal was finalised by Jacobson’s Rochdale-based agent John Seasman, the former Luton Town and Millwall striker, while the player was on holiday in Egypt.

Jacobson also admitted that Athletic’s Neal Eardley, who he knows well from international football, played a part in the move.

Cardiff-born Jacobson has signed a two-year contract, and said: “I spoke to Neal while I was away on holiday and he only had good things to say about the club.

“I think I have joined a bigger and better club than Bristol Rovers and I am delighted to have the opportunity to play here.

“I am looking for us to be up near the top challenging for promotion. I cannot wait to get started.”

Jacobson, who has appeared twice on the bench for the full Wales team, never held talks with the Athletic manager due to the player being on holiday.

He said: “I know my agent spoke to a number of clubs while I was away and this deal was finalised within the space of two days.”

Jacobson joined Cardiff as a nine-year-old and eventually made two senior appearances for the Bluebirds.

After loan spells at Accrington Stanley and Bristol Rovers, he signed a full-time contract for the latter in the summer of 2007.

Jacobson made a total of 83 first-team appearances for Rovers, with his one goal ironically coming against Athletic. It was the winner at Boundary Park in a 1-0 victory in August 2007.

But injury restricted him to 22 games during a frustrating 2008/09 season, and Jacobson admitted the time was right for a new challenge as his contract had expired.

He said: “I was initially ruled out through injury and then struggled to get back into the side after getting back to full fitness.

“The club knew I was not happy and the decision to leave was mutual — I didn’t want to stay and they wanted me to leave.”