Bolton Wanderers have completed the signing of striker Jermaine Beckford from Leicester City.
The 29-year-old has joined the club on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee and will be reunited with manager Dougie Freedman, with whom he played alongside at Leeds United during the 2007/08 season.
Born in London, Beckford started his career as a trainee with Chelsea but learned his trade at non-league outfit Wealdstone, where he was able to boast an impressive strike ratio of better than a goal every game.
Leeds United won the race for his signature and in March 2006 he made the move to Elland Road. He was initially loaned to Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United, helping fire the latter to the League One title whilst netting the Football League Goal of the Year.
He became a regular in the Leeds side from the start of the 2007/08 season and will be fondly remembered by the club’s supporters for his winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round.
In May 2010, Beckford’s impressive form persuaded Everton to bring the striker to Merseyside, but his spell at the Toffees was brief, moving on after 12 months to join Leicester City.
The following season, Beckford signed on loan at Championship new comers Huddersfield Town, making 22 appearances in total for the Terriers, including an appearance against Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, featuring as a second half substitute.
Speaking about the deal manager Dougie Freedman said: “We have worked very hard in order to bring Jermaine to the club; it has been a long winded signing.
“It has been out in the press for the last few weeks but Jermaine is someone I know and I have previously played alongside him so I know his character. He is a goal scorer."
To listen to Freedman's interview with the club website after Tuesday's game at Rotherham, please click here
Born in London, Beckford started his career as a trainee with Chelsea but learned his trade at non-league outfit Wealdstone, where he was able to boast an impressive strike ratio of better than a goal every game.
Leeds United won the race for his signature and in March 2006 he made the move to Elland Road. He was initially loaned to Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United, helping fire the latter to the League One title whilst netting the Football League Goal of the Year.
He became a regular in the Leeds side from the start of the 2007/08 season and will be fondly remembered by the club’s supporters for his winning goal against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup third round.
In May 2010, Beckford’s impressive form persuaded Everton to bring the striker to Merseyside, but his spell at the Toffees was brief, moving on after 12 months to join Leicester City.
The following season, Beckford signed on loan at Championship new comers Huddersfield Town, making 22 appearances in total for the Terriers, including an appearance against Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium, featuring as a second half substitute.
Speaking about the deal manager Dougie Freedman said: “We have worked very hard in order to bring Jermaine to the club; it has been a long winded signing.
“It has been out in the press for the last few weeks but Jermaine is someone I know and I have previously played alongside him so I know his character. He is a goal scorer."
To listen to Freedman's interview with the club website after Tuesday's game at Rotherham, please click here