Yeovil-born winger Josh Sims has joined his hometown club (that’s Yeovil Town, if you were wondering) on a two-year deal.
The 27-year-old, who began his career in the academy at Southampton, departed Scottish Premiership side Ross County last month after his contract expired.
He played 36 times, scoring four goals including the winner in a famous win over Rangers in April, as Ross County survived in the top tier courtesy of a play-off win.
Speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel, Sims said: “I have not been here in a long time, it has changed a bit and I have come full circle and I am looking forward to it. I grew up in the area playing locally (well, Southampton is the same time zone, at least) and then played in America and Scotland, and found myself back at home and I am looking forward to the opportunity.
“I have spoken with the manager over the last few days and got the opportunity to come down and watch training and I could really see the manager’s ideas which helps, I know a couple of the boys as well, so it should be a good chance for me.
“The ideas of how (the manager, Mark Cooper) wants to play I agree with and I think it could help both of us, hopefully I can add good things to the team and add good things when I play, bringing them excitement and get them on their feet. That is the sort of player I hope to be here at Yeovil.”
Despite being born in Gillingham, Dorset, Sims has never played at Huish Park and he is looking forward to the opportunity with his debut expected to be at Braintree Town on Saturday followed by a home debut against Ebbsfleet United on Tuesday night.
He added: “It was a long time ago that I came here to watch Yeovil, but I saw them progress up to the Championship and seen a lot of games, so it will be nice to play on the pitch. I grew up in the area but I have never actually played at Huish Park, so it will be a good opportunity and I am looking forward to actually playing here.
“I am a local boy so I know what it means to the fans in the area, it is a fantastic club and hopefully we can build on a fantastic season last year and do good things this season.”
Sims joined Southampton’s elite player development programme at the age of 14 and, having impressed in the under-23s set-up at St Mary’s, made his Premier League debut in November 2016.
He played 16 times for Saints in the 2016-17 season, including providing an assist for the goal which sealed a 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield to send them to the EFL Cup final.
In the 2018/19 season, he was loaned out to Championship Reading where much of his action was limited to coming off the bench. He spent the following season in New York, on loan at New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer, and followed that with 32 appearances for Doncaster Rovers in 2020/21.
Having been released from his contract at Southampton in the summer of 2021, Sims moved north of the border to join Ross County and was part of the side which secured the club’s Premiership status with a penalty shoot-out win over Partick Thistle in June 2023. Last season, he played 36 times, scoring four goals.
Welcome back to Somerset, Josh!