BURTON Albion have signed striker Josh Parker on a one-and-a-half year deal following his departure from Wycombe Wanderers.
The 30-year-old forward becomes the third signing of the January transfer window, following the loan arrivals of Hayden Carter and Sean Clare - and adds another option up front for manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Parker could feature in the Brewers squad for tomorrow's game at home to Ipswich Town, subject to EFL approval.
An Antigua and Barbuda international, Parker began his career with Queen's Park Rangers and brings League One experience and pedigree with spells at Oldham Athletic, Oxford United, Gillingham and Charlton Athletic, as well as spells abroad for Slovenian side Domzale and Red Star Belgrade in Serbia.
His spell at Priestfield saw him net 16 goals in 79 league games, prior to his move to Charlton Athletic. Parker, a former schoolboy at Wycombe, was re-signed by Gareth Ainsworth in 2019 and made 18 appearances as Wanderers reached the Championship via the play-offs.
Hasselbaink feels Parker's League One experience will be key as the Brewers look to push back up the Sky Bet League One table.
"We're very happy to see Josh come in through the door," said Hasselbaink. "He is a proven player in League One who will give us the experience and energy, and hopefully many goals.
"He's someone who puts himself about, makes defenders' lives very difficult, and that's what we need.
"We need more help and competition for the other players."
Parker, in his first interview with iFollow Brewers, said: "It's good to be here. I saw in a group chat that the manager (Hasselbaink) had been appointed here and I've always been an admirer since his Burton days and how they played football.
"The energy of me wanting to come here was reciprocated by the manager. He showed some interest in me when I was at Gillingham and he was trying to revamp his Northampton squad.
"It didn't come to fruition for whatever reason but I kept tabs on him, because I admired him as a player.
"In terms of what he wants from me, he wants me to come in and make an impact. He wants me to be a leader, because I've experienced so much in football - playing all over the world.
"He wants me to bring my talents to the club and help harness some of the younger lads, harness their potential."