Transfer Analysis: Jerry Yates

Swindon Town secured their first striker of the transfer window with the signing of Rotherham United's Jerry Yates who signs on a season-long loan from the League One club. But who really is Swindon Town's latest recruit? Total Sport Swindon's Rajan Hothi gives his analysis.

Richie Wellens has shown his intent this summer by acquiring STFC's fifth signing of the transfer window already as Yates joins Tyler Reid, Adam May, Zeki Fryers and Mathieu Baudry as the latest addition at SN1.

And the Swindon manager has made no secret of his desire to have most of his business done ahead of the beginning of pre-season on Monday. 

Town reportedly fought off interest from League Two rivals Carlisle United who were keen for a return to Brunton Park for the 22-year-old. Yates spent last year on loan with the Cumbrian side, but he opted to sign for a loan move to Swindon instead. 

Born in Doncaster, Yates began his youth career with his home-town club before being snapped up by Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United. 

Making his debut in April 2015 against Birmingham City as a late substitute, the Millers had high hopes for the youngster and sent him out on loan to non-league side Harrogate Town to ensure the striker got first-team football. Yates notched four goals in eight games during his loan stint before returning to his parent club in 2016. 

After impressing in non-league football, Yates became a regular at Rotheram the following season as he featured 23 times and scored three goals as Paul Warne's side were relegated from the Championship. 

And the first-team chances for Rotherham carried on with Yates playing 20 games and scoring two goals as the Yorkshire outfit returned to the second-tier via the League One play-offs in the 17/18 campaign.

The Doncaster-born striker was loaned out to Carlisle for the first six months of last season where he was played out of position as a left-wing-back for a majority of his time at the club.

But after bagging six goals in as many games, Yates was recalled by Rotherham in January. Yates is a player highly-rated by his parent club, Rotherham, and this is shown by their unwillingness to let the forward leave the club permanently. 

And Wellens will hope that he can get the best out of the 22-year-old who has the potential to undoubtedly become one of the best strikers in the division and be the potent goalscorer Swindon lacked last season. 

Just nine teams scored less goals than Swindon in League Two last season so this is a crucial signing for STFC who are going to need a prolific goalscorer at the club if they are to achieve the promotion that Wellens desperately wants.

Speaking to the club website following the move, Yates revealed:

"I was buzzing when I heard of the interest. I was delighted so I came down, met the Manager, saw the ground and was straight on the phone to my agent after saying: I wanted to go there because it’s going in the right direction.

I feel like the manager is the right man to help me progress and hopefully help the club progress so things are looking positive."

More signings are expected to arrive at the County Ground before the end of the week as Wellens looks to finalise his squad ahead of pre-season.

Picture credit: Swindon Town FC