'I'm always looking to create' - Reyes Cleary tells Barnsley FC fans what to expect after move from West Brom
Reyes Cleary has told Barnsley fans what they can expect from him after his move from West Bromwich Albion.
Despite being offered a new deal by the Baggies, Cleary has made a permanent move to Barnsley and penned a three-year deal.
He has become the club’s third signing of the summer, following goalkeeper Murphy Cooper and defender Nathanael Ogbeta through the door.
In his first in-house interview, the versatile attacker has lifted the lid on his move to South Yorkshire.
Reyes Cleary’s attributes
He said: “I'm really excited to get going. When I found out I had interest from Barnsley, I was excited. We’ve got a very young team. The manager trusts younger players.
“I’m very attacking, one-v-one, love to track back, help the team and score goals. Every time I get the ball, I’m always looking to create something.
“As soon as I’m in the attacking half, I’m always looking to take someone on or bring other players into the game.”
A product of West Brom’s academy, Reyes was prolific scorer in the Premier League 2 for the Baggies.
He was loaned to Walsall and Hartlepool United last season, managing just seven outings for the former but scoring six goals in 20 appearances for the latter.
Reyes, a former England youth international, played with Reds prospect Jonathan Bland at West Brom and is targeting promotion following the reunion.
Reyes Cleary outlines ambition
He said: “I did watch a few of their game towards the end of the season, the one against Reading. I do have a fellow teammate - Jonno Bland - that plays here.
“I think he [head coach Conor Hourihane] just wants to develop young players and obviously we know the main aim this season is to push for promotion. That’s what I’m aspiring for, to push for promotion with teams fighting to get to that next level.
“Hartlepool helped me a lot, from the first day I walked in. They told me what I was there for and gave me the platform to go and perform. After each game, I was getting better, and I can only thank them for that.
“I’ve played youth football a lot and when I went to Walsall before Hartlepool, that’s when I realised I need to get more senior level football in. Every day I’m concentrated on learning every day.
“It’s a big stadium, I just can’t wait to play in front of the fans in my first home game.”
Conor Hourihane and Mladen Sormaz on Reyes Cleary capture
Hourihane, meanwhile, has hailed Cleary’s desire to be a Barnsley player after ending his lengthy association with West Brom.
He said: “I’m thrilled to have Reyes on board. He’s got great attributes - pace, power, and a natural instinct in front of goal.
“He’s also versatile, which gives us different options across the front line. Most importantly, he’s shown a real desire to be here and be part of what we’re building at Barnsley.”
The club’s sporting director Mladen Sormaz added: “Reyes is a player we’ve been following closely. He fits what we’re looking for - young, hungry, technically capable and has the physicality required for the football we’ll play under Conor.
“He’s already shown what he can do at senior level, and we believe there is much more to come. This is a signing that excites us and reflects our continued focus on building a dynamic, progressive squad for the future.”