Leigh boss hails coup as Jansen signs on (From Leigh Journal)

Leigh boss hails coup as Jansen signs on

2:05pm Thursday 18th June 2009 in

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LEIGH Genesis have signed a former England international, writes Matt Lawton.

Manager Garry Flitcroft has persuaded ex-Blackburn Rovers teammate Matt Jansen to join the UniBond Division One North outfit as player coach from next season.

It’s a move the front runner was happy to make.

“I didn’t take much persuading,” he said on Tuesday.

“The set-up here is amazing – for me it’s on a par with many Championship clubs, if not better.”

Jansen will combine training pitch duties with hitting the net as he continues studies to obtain his UEFA coaching badges.

His friend and ex-teammate Flitcroft believes together the pair can lead Leigh to a new level.

“It’s a huge coup for us,” he said.

“Matt’s decision to come here is a massive boost not only for the club but also the town, and I hope the supporters come down to get behind him.”

Flitcroft is determined to bounce back at the first attempt after Leigh were relegated from the UniBond League’s top tier last term, and he believes Jansen’s arrival is a signal of intent.

He will use the 31-year-old to tempt others to play at the Sports Village next season.

“The potential impact on and off the field is immense,” he said.

“Matt is keen to start enjoying his football again while also furthering his coaching career, and we’re happy to give him that opportunity.”

Jansen finished last season at Blue Square Premier giants Wrexham, where he played under another familiar face from Ewood Park in Dean Saunders.

The Welsh outfit wanted him to stay, but Cheshire-based Jansen turned down their offer – as well as another from Workington – to hook up with Flitcroft.

Best known for his spell at Blackburn, Jansen’s life was changed by a serious motorcycle incident in Rome seven years ago that left him in a coma for six days.

He left Ewood Park in 2006 for Bolton Wanderers, but has struggled to recapture the form that saw him fire Rovers to promotion back to the Premier League following their relegation in 2000.

Then his 23-goal tally was bettered only by Fulham’s Louis Saha.

It was form that had persuaded the Lancashire club to pay Crystal Palace more than £4m for his services.

Goalkeeper Stephen Drench, who switched to Leigh from Southport last term, has also signed for next season.