alan ball
Player Valuation: £70m
New signing on his move to Latics
New signing Jose Baxter is delighted to have joined Latics and is keen to put his nightmare behind him.
The 20-year-old striker until today had found himself himself out of work.
Baxter, who has played for England at under-16, 17 and 19's, rejected the offer of a new two-year-deal at Everton in the summer because of his desire to play regular first-team football.
Then after a move to Crystal Palace never materialised after a pre-season trial, Baxter was left without a club.
"It really hit me on the opening day of the season when I was watching football on the television and was not involved. It was hard," he explained.
The nightmare ended when Latics last week invited Baxter to train with them.
He said: "I am made up to have joined Latics and all I want to do is to kick a football again.
"I have enjoyed the last week here. It is a good, family club and there is a good, young team.
"The club has a great young manager and a good staff."
Of his decision to leave Everton, Baxter admitted it was a difficult decision having been at Everton since the age of six.
He continued: "I could have stayed at Everton and remained sat on the bench.
"My ambition is to be successful and I won't achieve that being on the bench.
"It was a tough decision, but I left because I wanted to play regular first-team football."
Baxter added it was disappointing nothing came of his pre-season trial at Crystal Palace for whom he featured in five friendlies.
"It never really happened and it knocked me back as all I wanted was to find a new club and to play football," he said.
Baxter has a place in Everton's record books as he is the youngest player to appear in their first team beating previous holders Wayne Rooney and James Vaughan.
"It is a great honour to be linked with great players like them," he said.
Baxter last season scored against Latics for Tranmere where he spent a loan period.
New signing Jose Baxter is delighted to have joined Latics and is keen to put his nightmare behind him.
The 20-year-old striker until today had found himself himself out of work.
Baxter, who has played for England at under-16, 17 and 19's, rejected the offer of a new two-year-deal at Everton in the summer because of his desire to play regular first-team football.
Then after a move to Crystal Palace never materialised after a pre-season trial, Baxter was left without a club.
"It really hit me on the opening day of the season when I was watching football on the television and was not involved. It was hard," he explained.
The nightmare ended when Latics last week invited Baxter to train with them.
He said: "I am made up to have joined Latics and all I want to do is to kick a football again.
"I have enjoyed the last week here. It is a good, family club and there is a good, young team.
"The club has a great young manager and a good staff."
Of his decision to leave Everton, Baxter admitted it was a difficult decision having been at Everton since the age of six.
He continued: "I could have stayed at Everton and remained sat on the bench.
"My ambition is to be successful and I won't achieve that being on the bench.
"It was a tough decision, but I left because I wanted to play regular first-team football."
Baxter added it was disappointing nothing came of his pre-season trial at Crystal Palace for whom he featured in five friendlies.
"It never really happened and it knocked me back as all I wanted was to find a new club and to play football," he said.
Baxter has a place in Everton's record books as he is the youngest player to appear in their first team beating previous holders Wayne Rooney and James Vaughan.
"It is a great honour to be linked with great players like them," he said.
Baxter last season scored against Latics for Tranmere where he spent a loan period.
