ANDY Dallas is delighted to ‘finally’ be a Barnsley FC player after weeks-long conversations with the club.
The 23-year-old striker joined on a three-year contract after being a free agent, having left National League club Solihull Moors following a loan at Chesterfield.
Dallas told the Chronicle: “I have known for a few weeks that they were interested but there was some back and forth while I was training on my own.
“I am glad to get it finally sorted.
“It had to be right in all aspects because it’s a big thing to sign a three-year contract.
“But I was keen to get it done.
“It was the classic case of me phoning the agent saying: ‘why isn’t that done?’
“I am just happy to be here.”
He added: “There were a few teams in for me but, when a team like Barnsley comes in, as much as I enjoyed Chesterfield, I couldn’t say no.”
What has he made of the club so far?
“I am very impressed. I knew it was a big club from the outside but since coming in, I have been taken back by how professional it is from the moment you walk in. It’s such a massive shop window for me to go and replicate the form I have showed in the lower leagues.”
Dallas came through the Rangers academy then spent two years at Cambridge United in League Two before dipping into non-league.
He spent the last two seasons at Solihull Moors, then was loaned towards the end of last season to Chesterfield, scoring seven goals in his last six games including in the National League play-off final loss to Notts County at Wembley.
“I have a point to prove. I would like to think everyone has. Cambridge maybe didn’t go right for a few reasons.
“Dropping down to the National League was always to learn my trade and establish myself. Going to Chesterfield was to play in front of bigger crowds and now this is the next step.”
Dallas will now be working under a fellow Scot – new head coach Neill Collins.
“It’s good to hear a familiar accent.
“The interest was there before he came in.
“I don’t know how much impact he had (on the move for Dallas).
“But I am building up a good relationship with him which is important.”
Dallas is currently one of six senior strikers at Oakwell.
“If you are going to go in for league titles you have to have hungry boys up front, with some starting and some coming off the bench.”
