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 WORKINGTON Reds have lost out in their efforts to revive the career of former Premier League star Matt Jansen.
The 31-year-old has agreed to link-up with his former Blackburn Rovers team-mate Garry Flitcroft with Leigh Genesis. The pair were pictured together today at the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.
He has decided to make the move to the Leigh Sports Village Stadium, despite offers from several clubs further up the footballing ladder, but without the crucial opportunity for him to begin what he terms "a new chapter" in his football career.
That’s what he sees as the chance to take up a player-coach role with Genesis whilst obtaining his UEFA coaching badges.
Jansen’s old club Carlisle United would have been prepared to look at him in Division One while Wrexham, who had him for the last month of the season were also ready to make him an offer.
The signing of Jansen is a huge statement of intent from Genesis boss Garry Filtcroft, who spoke of his great respect for his former Blackburn team mate to the official Leigh Gensis website.
He believes it is a huge boost "not only for the supporters, but the whole town" as he looks to build a successful side that it is hoped will draw the crowds in to the Leigh Sports Village Stadium.
Jansen, currently based in the Cheshire village of Alderley Edge, only a short drive from Leigh, began his career with hometown club Carlisle United, turning down a chance to sign for Manchester United in favour of a £1million transfer to Crystal Palace in February 1998.
An impressive ten goals in twenty three league games for the relegated Eagles attracted the attention of Blackburn Rovers, who paid £4.1million for his services in January 1999.
Ater Rovers were relegated from the Premier League, Jansen played a huge part in their return to the top flight in 2000/2001, finishing as second top goalscorer in the league, behind only Fulham's Louis Saha, after scoring 23 goals.
Having been capped six times for England Under 21's, Jansen was a stomach illness away from representing the full England side, having to withdraw from the squad for a friendly with Paraguay in April 2002 after a season that saw him score the first goal in Rovers' 2-1 League Cup Final victory over Tottenham Hotspur at the Millennium Stadium.
Unfortunately, the summer of 2002 was one that would change Jansen's life, suffering an almost-fatal motorcycle accident in Rome that left Jansen in a coma for six days and a fight to regain full fitness. It is clearly an incident that still affects Jansen, and played a big part in his growing disillusionment with professional football as his bid to regain fitness took in a loan spell with Coventry City, and further appearances with Blackburn.
Jansen's seven year stay at Ewood Park came to an end in January 2006 when he joined neighbours Bolton Wanderers, where he made six appearances before being released in the summer of 2006.
Jansen spent the following years training with various clubs, spending a lengthy period with Bolton Wanderers, along with Carlisle and Huddersfield Town.
Most recently, Jansen teamed up again with former manager Sam Allardyce and again train with Blackburn, leading to a move to Blue Square Premier side Wrexham, for whom he scored one goal in three appearances towards the end of last season. Jansen had the chance to remain with Dean Saunders' side, but instead chose a move to Leigh ahead of staying at the Racecourse Ground.
Leigh boss Flitcroft believes that the potential impact of Jansen's arrival is "immense", both on and off the field, while undoubtedly playing a huge part in attracting any further signings.
From Jansen's point of view, it is an opportunity to begin to enjoy playing football again, whilst also furthering his coaching ambitions.
Reds boss Darren Edmondson had also explored the possibility of Jansen getting involved on the coashing side at Borough Park but the handiness to Leigh, plkus his long friendship with Glitcroft tipped the scales their way.
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