Rotherham United v Wolves: Record fee no worry as Jon Taylor eyes the goal trail

The 24-year-old winger swapped life at Peterborough United in League One for the chance of Championship football in a deal worth a reported £500,000.

Some players might struggle to cope with the added pressure of being a record signing, but the Liverpudlian admits he does not even know what the final figure was.

The only numbers he cares about are on the pitch, and how many goals and assists he can be involved in for Rotherham.

“I didn’t know anything about it (being the record signing), to be honest,” said Taylor. “I still don’t know now, I don’t want to know, I don’t need to.

“There’s no pressure, I will come in and work hard. The fans will, hopefully, love me. As long as I do that, there’s no pressure on me.

“I can’t let it affect me in any way, good or bad, I just have to get on with my job.

“Last year, my aim was to come and play in the Championship. I am glad to get the chance, it’s a great opportunity.

“My aim is to get in the team, firstly, then look to get into double figures with goals scored.”

Taylor knew he was heading for the London Road exit this summer as Posh looked to cash in after a successful season for the winger last term.

There was a flurry of speculation at the end of last season, while Taylor was not involved in training ground preparation for the new season at Peterborough.

The former Shrewsbury Town player – who started out at Wigan Athletic – admits he jumped at the chance to play in the Championship.

“I was sat at home, and got a phone call from Barry Fry saying the deal had been agreed with Rotherham, would I like to go?” he said.

“The deal was done within, literally, minutes. It was the easiest decision ever.

“They are a Championship team, great stadium, great manager – a Scouser and someone I used to watch playing football –and someone I would love to work for.

“I have heard a lot about him, as a coach and manager, and know he will improve me as a player.

“There was always speculation about me going, the manager brought other players in to cover himself. He told me the club were trying to make some money off me, as I played well last year.

“The games he was preparing for, at the start of the season, I wasn’t involved with. Now I am fit and ready.

“I haven’t even trained with the lads yet, but I am already thinking of playing games.

“Hopefully, I can do enough in training to make the gaffer think ‘he is ready’.

“After the season finished, there was loads of speculation, my phone didn’t stop.

“I heard there were bids turned down, I don’t know who from, and clubs interested in League One and the Championship.

“But, as soon as I heard about Rotherham, it was literally sorted within minutes.”

Millers fans are no stranger to Taylor netting at the New York Stadium. He struck for the Shrews three years ago in a 2-2 draw.

“I played No 10, just behind the striker, and scored with a header,” he recalled. “I slipped in the box, on the floor, and luckily got up in time. I remember it was just a great game, and really enjoyed it.

“Now I am going to be wearing the Rotherham kit and just can’t wait to get started and put on performances like that every week.

“The way I play, I want the pitches to be good so I can take people on, and luckily it (the NYS) is.”

He netted 14 goals in 54 league starts at Peterborough, and likes to attack from out wide.

“I am exciting, I like to excite the fans, and love to score goals,” he said.

“Even though I am on the wing, I love to score, that’s always the aim going into games.

“There’s no reason why I shouldn’t score, because I am going to be in the positions to get chances.

“But I also know my duties outside of that, and will always do the defensive work for the team.

“We have a great team here, and I have seen there are a few more players coming in.”

Fellow Millers recruit Kelvin Wilson admits he is behind the rest of the squad in terms of fitness, after missing most of pre-season.

The former Nottingham Forest and Celtic defender joined on a free transfer this week and is keen to get playing.

“I have not done the pre-season so I am a bit behind the boys. When I am fit to play, as in endurance, it is up to the gaffer,” said Wilson. “I was due to have a medical elsewhere and the gaffer got wind of it. I think he had been keen on me throughout the summer, but I think he is picking his signings wisely ,which is good.

“They (Rotherham) have been in a relegation fight for the last couple of seasons, but having had a chat with the manager and how he wants to play and the things he wants, what he wants from me just suited me.”