Welling United complete the signing of experienced Premier League and EFL player Jay Simpson, announced on Monday afternoon.
The 33 year old, who plays as a striker or winger, is a product of the Arsenal Academy, though never played a league game for Arsenal, spending most of his time on loan, at the likes of Millwall, West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers.
In 2010, he signed for Hull City, and was released three years later. Simpson spent time in Thailand with Buriram United, winning the 2014 Kor Royal Cup before returning to England with Leyton Orient.
He later played two years with Philadelphia Union of Major League Soccer, before returning to England and rejoining Orient in Februayr 2019, then went to Cypriot club Nea Salamina on a 1-year contract in June 2019.
✍️ Welling United are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced forward, Jay Simpson.
Welcome to the Wings, Jay!
— Welling United FC (@wellingunited) November 7, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Welling United are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced forward, Jay Simpson.
33-year old Simpson has gained a wealth of experience at Premier League, Championship, League One and League Two level having started his career as a youngster at Arsenal and becomes Warren Feeney’s latest signing as he looks to bolster the Wings’ attacking options.
Speaking following his arrival, Simpson said: “It feels good to be back on the grass, to be amongst the boys and to get a feel for the place.
“I was told what was going on down here and I’m interested by the project. It feels good to be back amongst it and I just want to try and help in any way I can by passing my experience on. As a team, we want to achieve something and build towards something – the owners and the manager are ambitious and we want to match that on the pitch.
“I like to get on the ball, try and make things happen, be exciting, work hard and try and score goals and be a threat. I want to play with a smile on my face, so hopefully the fans will be able to see that.”
💥💥💥 Here’s a taster of what our new boy, Jay Simpson, can do…
🔴 #WeAreWings pic.twitter.com/uQAzZMtZ7M
— Welling United FC (@wellingunited) November 7, 2022
Speaking of his new arrival, Feeney added: “He needs to get up to speed, but you can see he’s got ability, he’s sharp and can hold the ball up well. He puts pressure on the lads up front and he’s a good signing for us – it’s fantastic that we’ve got him in.”
Simpson has made 316 appearances in English football, scoring 82 goals for clubs including Arsenal, Millwall, Queens Park Rangers, West Bromwich Albion, Hull City and Leyton Orient.
He also enjoyed a spell in the MLS with Philadelphia Union between 2017 and 2018 before joining Cypriot outfit Nea Salamis Famagusta.
The striker made his Wings debut off the bench in last week’s defeat at Dartford and could make his first appearance at Park View Road on Tuesday evening for the visit of Slough Town.
Twitter users gave their reaction as Welling complete the signing of experienced Premier League and EFL player Jay Simpson…
@saundeel: Strange signing
@Bernyboy99: Guys he’s unreal from an orient fan
@simonbernstein: What a player you have there.
@andrew_marjeram: Wow 👏
@JakeMurphyMedia: Massive for Welling that
@StevenDumont20: Be good competition for the forwards
@Nin0_Bar0ne: Unreal signing
@wilko300: Hasn’t played for years, take him the rest of the season to get up to speed
@AlbertBrigham4: Super Jay Simpson
@cr_977: baller
@lou_menzies: This is a great signing for the Wings, looking forward to seeing what Jay can bring to the squad! 👍
HIS CAREER:
Youth career
1996–1997 – Norwich City
1997–2007 – Arsenal
Senior career
2007–2010 – Arsenal
2007–2008 → Millwall (loan) – 41 games (6 goals)
2009 → West Bromwich Albion (loan) – 13 games (1 goal)
2009–2010 → Queens Park Rangers (loan) – 39 games (12 goals)
2010–2013 – Hull City – 78 games (12 goals)
2011–2012 → Millwall (loan) – 16 games (4 goals)
2013–2014 – Buriram United – 21 games (1 goal)
2014–2017 – Leyton Orient – 87 games (33 goals)
2017–2018 – Philadelphia Union – 30 games (3 goals)
2019 – Leyton Orient – 7 games (1 goal)
2019–2020 – Nea Salamina – 20 games (2 goals)
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