Salford City have announced the signing of Jay Bird from Exeter City for an undisclosed fee.
After falling agonisingly short of the League Two playoffs on the final day, Karl Robinson’s side are in the midst of a rebuild at Moor Lane, with club leaders Matty Lund, Ryan Watson and Liam Shephard all leaving the club after their contracts expired. Some forwards have already departed such as Junior Luamba’s sale to Carlisle United, whilst rumours around Kelly Nmai’s future remain unclear.
Bird Joins Salford
The Ammies announced they had signed Bird on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee. He joins just one year after signing for Exeter on a free transfer, where he only lasted half a season at St. James’ Park, instead being loaned out to Rochdale.
Bird, who originally broke through at Milton Keynes Dons, was a helpful part of The Dale’s playoff push in the National League, scoring six goals in 11 matches. He scored once in their playoff eliminator match against Southend United, which they went on to lose in extra time.
Speaking about his move to Greater Manchester to the club’s official media, Bird said:
“I am really excited just to get out there and meet the fans, and just play some football, and score some goals.
“My main focus is to come in, score goals, and to help the team out. The main focus of a striker is always to score, but there is obviously other aspects of my game that I can help with as well, like bringing in other players into the game.
“I think it was a no brainer to come here to be honest, I spoke with the Gaffer and a few of the other staff, and just the way they explained the Club, and the vision that they have… Last season just showed how well they were doing, and I definitely think that by coming here and being a part of this team, something can happen this year.”
Writers’ View
With plenty of change in the frontline, Salford City needed to recruit new players in the position and Jay Bird can be a handy addition. After a promising loan at Rochdale in the second half of last season, he arrives at Moor Lane with momentum and alongside Hakeeb Adelakun, should the former Doncaster Rovers man agree a new deal with the club, they can be an effective front line with Ben Woodburn in support. The Ammies have done well to recruit from the best of the National League so far this season and Bird follows in that trend.
