Gaffer delight at first capture...
Rotherham United Manager Steve Evans describes new signing Conor Newton as a Championship player, after agreeing a deal with the youngster from Newcastle United.
Newton, 22, will join the Millers for the new campaign, subject to the results of a medical and Football League clearance, and Evans is looking forward to working with the former St. Mirren loanee.
“He’s a Championship player all day,” Evans told Millers Player. “He’s only 22 and he goes box-to-box. He’s not a sitter, he’s an athletic, energetic midfielder who’s got some fantastic technical ability, and when Newcastle United tell you it was a fine line between giving him a lengthy deal, I’m sure we’ve made a good signing.”
Newton will become the Millers’ first signing ahead of the 2014/15 season, and joins the club regardless of what division the club will be in next season, but Evans believes a reason in his capture has come from someone who is already playing in Rotherham red.
“We’ve worked hard to get Conor in, he’s a player I’ve seen play in Scotland after he originally impressed me for Newcastle United’s Under 21s when Steve Stone earmarked him. He went up to Scotland and I’ve seen a number of games and then after he’s been on his holidays this week weighing up his options so we’ve made our pitch and I must say it helps when the kid’s good friends with James Tavernier.
“He’s been finished a few weeks and he could be away with his holiday commitments but he wanted to make a decision and we’re looking forward to working with Conor.”