CLAYTON Taylor hopes his move to Barnsley will help him achieve his ambitions in club football and internationally with Australia.
The 22-year-old joined last week from Newcastle Jets on a three-year deal with another year option in the club’s favour.
He told the Chronicle: “I was well into my off-season when I think the approach happened and I think they reached out to my agent and he reached out to me.
“And then from there, everything went pretty smoothly and I had a bit of a decision to make. I made the decision to come here.
“I spoke to Jon (Flatman, chief executive) and the gaffer quite a bit and I guess just their philosophy and their ambitions for the club and how they saw me and what they wanted to do with the team and the club just kind of pushed Barnsley over the edge for me. That’s when I decided it’s the place to come.”
He added: “I think it’s a very historical club with a very good history and a very good community around it.
“It’s a very competitive club.
“I had a few options, both locally in Australia and abroad. Australia is very disconnected from the rest of the world in terms of football. And I think it’s a lot of Australians’ dream to express themselves on the world stage.”
Taylor is a right-footed winger who operates on the left wing, just like Barnsley’s star player from last season Reyes Cleary.
“In the last few seasons I’ve primarily been a left-winger, but I like to think I can play pretty well on both sides.
“I think I’m pretty solid with both feet as well.
“So I don’t think that really fazes me playing on either side of the pitch and also I can roll into the pockets into an attacking midfield role.”
Taylor was happy to get a long contract with the Reds. He said: “Job security is a big, big thing with football.
“There are a lot of shorter contracts going around and I was very grateful to get a longer one. It certainly shows that the club and the coach are interested in me and want me.
“It’s good to have that kind of backing from the club. That gives you confidence in that this was the right move for me.”
Asked to describe himself as a footballer, he said: “I’m a pretty attacking, creative player.
“I like to express myself, I like to score goals, excite the fans, you know, take on my defender, try and create opportunities and make football exciting.”
He scored nine times last season but is hoping to hit double figures for the Reds.
“I feel like you should be always aiming to be better than what you previously achieved, no matter what.
“But considering the amount of games in League One compared to how many there is back in Australia, I think certainly I should be aiming to smash that figure well and truly.”
Clayton has enjoyed working with head coach Daniel Stendel so far.
“He’s very passionate.
“He’s always in at the club, pushing the players and the staff and he’s got a very, very strong philosophy which he really believes in and I think that’s very important for for success.
“They say you’ve got to believe in yourself to be successful and that he certainly believes in himself and he’s very passionate about that.
“And he’s trying to rub that off on us and create a very tight and energetic group that will go on to achieve something good, something great.”
Stendel plays a high-energy style which Clayton is adapting to.
“Coming off off-season, you’re always a bit out of shape, but you do your best to stay in shape.
“But, you know, it’s certainly a shock to the system, the way he wants to play and the amount of energy and intensity that he requires.
“He’s been really pushing us.
“We’ve had some really long field sessions and that’s sort of his training style to try and make us fitter and adapt to the way he wants to play.”
Taylor has one cap for Australia under 23s.
The senior Socceroos team lost in the World Cup last 32 on penalties to Egypt last week.
“It’s always in your mind. It’s something that every footballer dreams of playing for your country.
“No matter where I am, but in particular here, I’ll always be trying to do my best, put my best foot forward. And hopefully one day get that call-up.”
