After signing a three-year contract at Brunton Park, we spoke to midfielder Jordan Jones.
“I’m delighted. There’s been a lot of talks over the summer, but I'm just delighted to be here now and can't wait to get going.
“It's been a bit of a mad summer to be honest. Obviously went back into Wigan and ended up leaving there again last week. And then again there was more talks once I'd left and finally got a deal agreed and I'm delighted to commit my long-term future to the club.”
Speaking on his career so far in greater depth, he said: “I came through at Middlesbrough.
I was obviously there with Charlie when we were kids, like six, seven-years-old. Left there when I was 20, went up to Kilmarnock, and had a brilliant time at that club. Signed for Rangers, had a loan to Sunderland and then I permanently signed for Wigan on a three-year deal.
“It's been good, it's been up and down, that's the way football is. But like I say, I'm just delighted now to know where I'm going to be and really commit my future to this club.”
Talking about his spell in Scotland, Jordan added: “It was massive. My first manager there was Lee Clark and he was brilliant for me, to be honest.
“I went from obviously kids' football to men's football and he really helped with the transition. I can't speak highly enough of him. And then I had Lee McCulloch as my manager, who was also brilliant for me.
“He brought out a sort of different side of my game and made me really believe in myself. And then Steve Clark was probably the best manager I've ever worked under, to be honest, in my time at Kilmarnock. He was absolutely fantastic and obviously he's the Scotland manager now.
“So yeah, it all sort of helped mould me into the player and person I am today. Obviously Gerrard signed me at Rangers. It was amazing to work for him. Great human being. He was a great manager. Obviously it was like a mad experience because he was one of my heroes growing up, but he was just a brilliant guy.
“And then obviously I went to Wigan and then had a couple of years where it didn't really work out and then Shaun Maloney got the job and he's another one I can't speak any highly of.
“He was absolutely brilliant for me. Emotionally, we had a connection which I've probably never had with another manager.
“He sort of knew where I was at this time last year in my career and he really helped me find my form again and fall back in love with football, to be honest. So like I say, when he called me the other day, I went back in and enjoyed my couple of weeks there with him as I always would have. And then yeah, I left and now I've committed my long-term future here.”
Jones left Wigan earlier in the summer, prior to re-joining the Latics on a short-term basis for a couple of weeks, before making the switch to Brunton Park.
“They offered me a contract at the end of last season. We couldn't come to an agreement on the terms and then I was going to move abroad like three or four weeks ago and they ended up pulling out of the deal.
“I landed back in Newcastle and Shaun had rang me up asking me to go back into Wigan. He'd had a few injuries to his wingers and I'd also seen it as obviously a way to get myself back fit and so the clubs know I'm match fit and ready to go because I had a long time off in the summer.
“There were still talks of maybe sorting something out but because of budgets, I think he's made that quite clear that it couldn't be sorted.
“Like I say, I've got the utmost respect for Sean, the utmost respect for everyone at Wigan. I've got brilliant relationships there and it's a club that I love.”
Touching on his conversations ahead of the move to the Blues, he stated: “I spoke with Greg Abbott. He's been brilliant to deal with to be honest. I met him in person on Friday.
We had a really good meeting. It was really honest, really straight talking which is how I am as a person and I appreciate that's how he was.
“I spoke with a few clubs in this league and the league above and I got a deal agreed yesterday with Greg and I gave him my word that I'll come in and I'll sign today and this is where we're at now and like I say, it's nice to commit my long-term future to this club.
“I can see what the club is trying to do. It's a project that I'm really looking forward to being part of and look, I want to bring success to this football club. I said that to Greg.
I said I don't want to come here and I don't want to see, no disrespect to League Two, but I don't want to see the club stay in League Two. I want to be here and I want to be successful and I believe we can be so that's why I committed my long-term future here.”
After Jones received interest from a number of clubs, we asked if the ongoing project was one of the deciding factors in his move to Cumbria.
“That was a massive part of it.
“You know as well, I've got a young family and this is a chance where I could be a lot closer to home. That was obviously a big part of it but like I say, when I see the project that the club's doing and that the club is on, I want to be part of it and I want to help the club be as successful as possible.”
After arriving on Tuesday morning to finalise terms, he said: “Everyone's been lovely so far, you know, the club's full of really good people.
“Charlie [Wyke] has done this deal more than anyone else. He's been on me from the start, like the first day of pre-season and he couldn't speak highly enough about the people in the club and the people surrounding the club.
“I'm just delighted now to be here and yeah, really looking forward to it.”
Our newest recruit also knows Dylan McGeouch, who he’s played against during his time in Scotland.
“He'd done really well there. I always remember him being a really good player. I've just had a bit of breakfast with him there so yeah, really nice to speak to him and I'm looking forward to playing with him.”
Describing his game, Jordan said: I'm sure I'll get the fans on the edge of their seats and I'm a very direct player. I want to get on the ball.I want to make things happen, get goals, assists and create chances.
“It obviously helps when you've got a striker like Charlie Wyke in the box. I know, like I say, I've played with Charlie now for the best part of 20 years. So I'd like to think I know where he's going to be. So hopefully I can put some crosses in for him and set him up with some chances and get him on the goals.”
United’s recent recruits have not only settled with their new teammates, but also have previous connections with fellow new additions as we look to build chemistry within the group - Dan Adu-Adjei and Dominic Sadi joining from Bournemouth on loan, whilst also adding Wyke and Jones to the ranks, who have played with each other on a number of occasions in the past.
“It is important and like you say, no matter how many times you've had this sort of experience and moving to a new club, you still get the butterflies when you come in on a morning meeting everyone new. But it does help when obviously you know a couple of the lads, especially the way I know Charlie.
“He's like a family to me. So yeah, it does really help."
Jordan took part in his first training session with United on Tuesday morning, speaking shortly beforehand, he said: “I can see the training pitch now. It looks really good. The pitch itself looks brilliant. So I just can't wait to get going.
“I played for Hartlepool here years and years ago when I was on loan. That must have been well over 10 years ago and now I'm starting to feel old. But yeah, I always remember it being a really good atmosphere.
“Like I say, the pitch is obviously brilliant. I was injured actually when Wigan played here last year. But I came and watched the game and I always remember about the pitch and the atmosphere.
“I just can't wait to get on there now and get playing on Saturday.
“It's big because for someone who likes to dribble and play on the ball, obviously one of the main things I'm looking for is a good pitch.
“To have that is a big bonus and it's a credit to the club.”
Finally, Jones had the following message for supporters, saying: “Just to stick with the team at all times.
“Football is like life. There's going to be highs and lows. There's going to be some weeks where we'll all feel unbelievable and there's going to be some weeks where it might be difficult, but everyone's got to stick together.
“I think the mentality is a massive thing. Everyone wants success at this football club and that's why I'm here, to do my best to try and contribute to that.
“Just stick together and let's enjoy the ride.”
