Notts County has announced the signing of promotion-winning defender Kellan Gordon after the defender’s contract with Crawley Town came to an end.
The 26-year-old is the second addition County has made from Crawley Town after Nick Tsaroulla joined earlier in the window. Gordon signs an initial two-year contract.
Richard Montague had this to say upon the signing of the defender.
“One of the key areas we wanted to address this summer was ensuring that we have quality depth throughout the squad, so we’re thrilled to bring a player of Kellan’s quality and experience to Meadow Lane.
“While being capable of filling in on the right of a back three thanks to his strong defensive capabilities, he will be mainly used as a wing back and adds to a number of excellent options we have in that area.
“Kellan is quick, strong and powerful, while also being very composed on the ball. He’s a great fit for us and, with his prime years ahead of him, has an opportunity to grow with the club.”
Who is Kellan Gordon?
The 26-year-old defender came through the ranks at Derby County, with his first senior loan spell for the 17/18 season with Swindon Town, where he would make 30 appearances scoring four goals.
Upon returning to The Rams, he was sent on loan for a second time on a six-month loan deal to Lincoln City where he played ten times in League Two.
For the start of the 19/20 season, the defender signed permanently for League Two side Mansfield Town after only making one appearance for the Derby first team, going on to make 88 appearances scoring two goals and providing eight assists.
The defender would then join Crawley Town on an 18-month contract in January 2023, where under the guidance of Scott Lindsey, The Red Devils would achieve promotion to League One via the playoffs. During his time with Crawley, he made 53 appearances.
How did he perform last season?
Operating as a right wing-back for Crawley last season he started 23 times and came off the bench ten times accumulating a total of 1970 minutes.
The defender averaged 1.69 chances created per 90, ranking him in the 91% percentile as well as 1.83 successful crosses per 90. The wing-back is very adaptable to a high-pressing game-winning possession in the final third 0.5 times per 90 ranking him in the 83% percentile.
What will he bring to Notts County?
I believe the defender is an extremely good signing for Notts County. He will firstly offer creativity in the final third albeit not something they lacked last season with Jodi Jones providing 24 assists in the league last season from the left-hand side. But it does offer balance and less predictability to attacks. The 26-year-old is also very comfortable at playing on the right of a back three as a wide centre-back, which offers pace in wide areas when strikers look to stretch the back three, especially considering Notts County’s defensive record last season.
As well as being comfortable playing on the right of a back three, Gordon will also bring competition into the attacking right-hand side role with Aaron Nemane who also had a very strong first season in League Two, while also offering vast experience in League Two having played over 150 games at the level.