Joksts is value for money – Johnson

ATHLETIC fans have invested in a player of promise in Edijs Joksts and not just thrown cash into an ageing professional’s pension pot.

That is the view of manager Lee Johnson, who was keen that the PlayerShare scheme — in which supporters pledge money to fund the cost of player wages over and above the club’s financial budget — provided value for money for those who pay into it.

Johnson says that the tall Latvia under-21 international defender now has an opportunity to thrive in the English game he may never have got otherwise.

“Rather than use it to give an extra £400 a week to someone who has played 500 league games in their career, I wanted it to go to somewhere where it will really make a difference,” Johnson said. “It will with ‘Eddie’.

“He is a nice lad and that is important as well. He will work his hardest to be the best that he can be and he is the right person for this morally, I feel.”

Joksts is expected to complete his move on a free transfer to Boundary Park this week after international clearance is received.

He didn’t feature in last night’s match at Curzon Ashton but is expected to play in today’s closed-doors friendly against Burnley’s development squad.