Former Newcastle defender Ryan Taylor has signed for Fleetwood Town following a successful trial – with Joey Barton admitting he was ’embarrassed’ to offer him such a low wage packet.
Both Taylor and ex-Sunderland winger Ross Wallace have been on trial with the newly promoted League One club over the last few weeks and both have now signed.
With Barton and Taylor playing together during their time at Newcastle, it’s a surprise reunion for the Scouse pair – with the full-back signing on a free after leaving Indian Super League champions ATK recently.
Here’s what Barton’s had to say after agreeing deals for both, revealing how he was forced to offer them money he never expected them to accept:
“The lads want to come in for money I never thought they would accept,”
“I almost felt embarrassed offering it to them because it is literally the last couple of scrapes of the financial barrel with Financial Fair Play.
“We want competition for places and have got to do that on a budget.
“If you can’t have 10 of millions to spend, then you have to be creative in the free transfer market. We have done that.”
✍️ | #ftfc can officially confirm the signing of former @premierleague player Ryan Taylor, following a successful trial at the club.
Full details ? https://t.co/ugPBpbgm26#OnwardTogether pic.twitter.com/IJ5CJn11AH
— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) September 23, 2018
Hopefully we can see the ‘Ryan Taylor over the wall’ chant re-emerge when his new side plays Sunderland next March!
