STRIKER Josh Gordon has agreed a two-year deal with the Brewers which will begin on July 1 after his contract with Barrow comes to an end.
The 28-year-old came through the youth ranks at Stoke City and was on Leicester City’s books but has made his name in the EFL at Walsall where he notched up 123 appearances and 27 goals in a three-season stay.
He then joined Barrow where he was top scorer last season with 15 goals.
He’s now become Dino Maamria’s second signing of the summer as the Brewers manager builds his squad for the 2023/24 League One season.
Maamria said: “We tried to get Josh Gordon in January, but we couldn’t. He’s a player we have been tracking for a while. His energy and work rate are very good and he’s a goal scorer as well.
“He fits in really well with the type of forward we want at the football club. He does the basics really well and he’s a hard-working and committed player and I like those kind of players.
“There’s a lot more to his game than goals; his endeavour; his never say die attitude. It’s great to have him on board and to be able to strengthen our strike force.
“We had to beat some competition to get him, and we are delighted to have him on board. He has bought into what we are doing, and he will be a brilliant addition for us.”
Gordon, who is 28 years old, said: “To be here with a fresh start is exciting. With being in League Two for the last couple of seasons I wanted to get back to League One. I want to challenge myself and there are good teams in this league.
“I know Burton did well at the end of last season, and I want to be part of that going forward.
“It’s local for me and I know some of the lads here and it’s nice to be back towards my home town.”
Maamria believes the signing of strikers Josh Gordon and Cole Stockton show the club’s intent as the manager builds a squad for the 2023/24 season.
Both players are proven goal scorers who have joined the Brewers on two-year deals and Maamria hopes they will be the opening salvo in a busy summer.
He said: “Footballers are intelligent, and they see what the plan is and the type of team you are building. When they see us building from the front and bringing in players of the quality of Cole Stockton and Josh Gordon they will get excited.
“I want a small squad that is tight knit with everyone together and with real quality. It’s a work in progress and, ideally, we would have more than two in by now, but we don’t want to rush into anything, and we need to bring the right players in.”