Antoni Sarcevic has vowed to Fleetwood Town fans that he will score plenty of goals from midfield next season after signing from Chester today on a 3-year deal.
The 21-year-old, who has recently been tipped as ‘the best in non-league football’, says everything about the club is why he has made the move and will be looking to grasp his second opportunity of league football with both hands after signing a 3year deal.
After being released by Manchester City as a teenager, Sarcevic worked his way back up to become apart of Dario Gradi’s successful Crewe set-up before moving on to Chester to establish himself as one of the best players outside of the football league.
“The whole place, the stadium, everyone I have met up to now have been welcoming and just looking round the place, this is exactly why I have come to Fleetwood Town and I am loving it up to now.” Sarcevic said.
“I am an all round midfielder, I love to get on the score sheet but I do enjoy both sides of the game and if I do get my opportunities, just know that I will put everything into a Fleetwood shirt like I did at Chester, like I do with any club and you will be able to see a few goals from a midfielder.
“I scored 17 in total, which was a great record, and hopefully I can bring that into this squad.”
At Chester, Sarcevic regularly lined up alongside former Town player Paul Linwood and Fleetwood’s new signing says his former team-mate had nothing but good words to say about the club.
“Funnily enough, it was all happening today and I was supposed to be meeting up with Paul to drive down to Chester and I forgot to ring him to let him know I was coming here and he just had all good words to say about the club.”
Sarcevic’s influence in the middle of the park played a big part as Chester secured another promotion to the Blue Square Bet Conference last season and is now looking to bring that success to Fleetwood this season.
“It was an unbelievable season last year, for myself as well. I picked up a lot of awards, which I am very proud of, and I am very happy I had a great season with Chester but now I am moving on I can’t wait to started now with Fleetwood.”
A successful stint at Woodley Sports saw Sarcevic link up with Dario Gradi at Crewe, but despite scoring on his debut, he only made 12 appearances and was allowed to leave and Sarcevic is looking to wipe the slate clean and make up for lost time as professional footballer.
“It is a big move (to Fleetwood). I had experience in full time football at Crewe but that obviously didn’t go as well, but this is a clean slate for me and I can’t wait to get back to being a full-time footballer.
“I learnt a lot under Dario, who was very good with me as well. He gave me my chance and now I am happy to get another chance to show what I can do in the league.
“It was on my debut funnily enough. I came on with another young lad and scored. The result, to me, was a bit of knockdown because we lost 6-2 but just to make my debut, score and get some experience and I now can’t wait to do again now with Fleetwood.”
Sarcevic has also recently starred for the England C team on May 5 – and scored within minutes of his debut and he says it is a moment he will remember for the rest of his life.
“That was unbelievable. It was a real honour to represent my country and I wanted to impress and to score a goal in the first five minutes was an unbelievable feeling and it is definitely one thing I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Sarcevic will be meeting up with his new team-mates with pre-season training starting this week, but he won’t be a complete stranger. The England C star knows Liam Hogan from there time at Woodley Sports and he is looking forward to linking back up with the right back and getting a good pre-season under his belt to prepared for the new season.
“I played with Liam a long time ago when we was at Woodley Sports and I was really chuffed with him when I found he got his move, but I can’t wait to meet the rest of the lads.
“I text him to make sure he keeps that passenger seat warm and that I will be coming with him from now on.”
“It is the dreaded month or so but it all works out and puts you in a good place ahead of the new season.”