New Millers recruit Grant Ward has already shown
glimpses of what he is capable of in his two pre-season outings, but
now he is ready to test himself at Championship level.
The Tottenham midfielder, 20, put pen to paper on a loan deal until January on Monday and became the Millers' eighth summer signing.
Ward has been training with the Millers for the
last seven days or so and has had two 45-minute outings in the first
two pre-season friendlies against Parkgate and Stocksbridge.
He made an impressive impact, scoring in both, and
that convinced boss Steve Evans to take the plunge and bring him to
the AESSEAL New York Stadium for the rest of 2015.
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| Picture from www.themillers.co.uk |
Ward's only taste of competitive English football is a brief loan spell at League One Coventry, though he impressed in the Sky Blues' successful battle to beat the drop.
Now he is ready to test himself at a higher level.
“It was maybe a few weeks ago that there was a
bit of interest and that maybe I could come up and see if they like
me,” Ward said of his move to South Yorkshire.
“A goal always helps but I thought during
training I think I had done enough.
“It's great to come out and get some experience
and try and help the team. I have got to try my best and see where it
takes me.
Happy to have signed with @OfficialRUFC on loan, Can't wait for the season to start, looking forward to the challenges ahead ⚽️🙏 #rufc— Grant Ward (@GrantWard_) July 13, 2015
“It will be a good challenge for me next season
and I can see how I will be against Championship sides.”
Those who have witnessed his two outings in
friendlies will be able to testify to his energetic nature and Ward
has vowed to bring some box-to-box explosiveness to the side.
He will contest a central midfield spot with
Richie Smallwood, Paul Green and Lee Frecklington, but could also
give Emmanuel Ledesma a run for his money on the right.
“I'm quite a dynamic player, so I like to get
around the pitch,” he said.
“I prefer to play in the centre, I can play
wide. I'm good on the ball and I like to dribble.”
Ward is set to make his third pre-season outing
tonight when the Millers travel to Alfreton.
