Source: FOOTYMAD
Dickov makes first signing
Former Manchester United midfielder very impressed with the manager's ambitions Former Manchester United midfield man Ritchie Jones has become new manager Paul Dickov's first signing. The 23-year-old had been offered a contract by a Championship club as well as two rival teams in League One but the manager managed to pull off the coup despite the opposition. Jones has signed a two-year contract, and is described by Dickov as a box-to-box midfield player with a lot of energy who can play in various positions across midfield and who is able to defend as well as contributing goals at the opposite end of the pitch.Dickov said, "We feel very lucky to have brought in Ritchie as a lot of clubs were looking at him and one Championship club had offered him a deal as had others from our division. When I took over, Ritchie was a player I identified as somebody with a great pedigree having obviously started at Manchester United, where he appeared in the first team, and who over the last two years has probably been Hartlepool's best player. I am delighted as he fits the bill in what I want. He has a lot of experience, but he is also young, hungry to succeed, has a good work ethic and attitude as well as being a very good footballer who will provide added competition for places in midfield. I met with Ritchie and his agent and told him what I am trying to do here, and where we want to go, and it shows a lot that the kid wants to come here and buy into what I am trying to achieve, and he will be a great signing for us."Jones added, "I was very impressed with the manager's ambitions and what he had to say. I am happy to be coming here and can't wait to get started and to do well. I am familiar with League One having played for Hartlepool for two seasons and I scored against Oldham."Jones made five first-team appearances for Manchester United in the FA Cup and League Cup and has also played for England at every level from under-15 to 20. He helped England to reach the final of the European Under-19 Championships in 2005.
