Salford City have now confirmed the signing of Ryan Graydon, the forward has joined from fellow League Two outfit Fleetwood Town.
Reports earlier in the week caused a stir, with rumours circulating that Salford City had bid £400,000 for the 26-year-old. Potentially rising to £600,000, Graydon’s contract at Highbury Stadium was set to expire at the end of the season.
Salford City Seal Graydon
Town’s goals have been relatively sporadic this season, with the likes of Will Davies, Jordan Davies, and Ched Evans having contributed a handful already.
Now confirmed via the club’s official website, the striker has signed a long-term deal with the Manchester club.
The Irishman had tallied eight goals and three assists this season with Fleetwood Town this season, and registered twenty goal contributions last term.
While Salford City sit fourth in the division, this signing is a clear signal of the Ammies’ intent to grasp at the opportunity for League One football, after struggling to live up to expectations in the fourth tier since their promotion in 2019.
While the decision to pay a reportedly hefty fee for a player in the final six months of his contract has prompted discussion, it cannot be denied that a League Two-proven marksman could launch Salford City up the table.
Only sat outside the automatic promotion places on goal difference, Graydon’s qualities could prove pivotal for Karl Robinson in the business end of the season.
He will join Salford’s already exciting frontline, featuring Daniel Udoh, Cole Stockton, and Fabio Borini
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What Next for Fleetwood Town?
Fleetwood Town will be disappointed to see their top scorer depart, as would any club.
Sitting 13th in a largely congested League Two table, promotion is not off the radar for The Cod Army; however, with Graydon’s departure, those chances have taken a great hit.
However, the fee received for a player likely to have left in the summer could be of large benefit if reinvested properly. Additionally, there are multiple players in Pete Wild’s squad capable of contributing in the final third.
With their top scorer now departing, it will be interesting to see how Fleetwood respond at the other end of the market.
What Has Been Said?
On starting his new journey with Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium, Graydon made no secret of his ambitions with the club in the second half of the season:
“I’m just delighted to get it over the line, to be here and ready to go, I’m looking forward to it.”
“When I saw the main objective and the plans for the next few years, that was massive for me, so the objective for the rest of the season now is to get out of this league and promoted to League One.
“It’s a great squad, you can see why they’re doing so well, and it’s a big reason why I came, to push on. I’m buzzing to get out in front of the fans, show them what I can do, and hopefully bring them success.”