Striker Jake Hyde has joined the forward line at Yeovil Town having been released by League Two new boys Wrexham, the club confirmed on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old spent last season on loan at Southend United, scoring four times in 18 appearances including twice against the Glovers with the winner at Root’s Hall in October and the opener in a 2-0 win for the Shrimpers at Huish Park towards the end of the campaign.
He links up with the other goalscorer in the latter fixture, Rhys Murphy, who was announced as returning to Somerset last week following his release by Southend.
Speaking to ytfc.net, the frontman said: “It’s been nice to come and have a walk around the stadium, it’s been very welcoming.
“Every time I’ve come here, I can tell this is a proper football club; it’s got the stature, it’s been in the Championship.
“It’s nice to have a new start, a new challenge, to help get this football club back where it needs to be.”
Manager Mark Cooper added: “Good characters are exactly what we need and Jake is just that. He has experience at this level and above, with a proven goal-scoring record. He will be a strong addition to our changing room and I look forward to working with him.”
Much like Murphy, Hyde has an impressive scoring record across the number of clubs with more than 100 strikes to his name including at FC Halifax Town where he got 13 in 26 matches in the 2020-21 season, earning his move to big-spending Wrexham. Plus, you can add him to the #KnowsTheLevel club having managed 27 goals in 60 matches during two seasons at Woking at National League South level and has played there for Maidenhead United.
It has to be noted that – like Murphy – he comes with an injury record with hamstring problems keeping him out for large chunks of the season at Southend last season.
It doesn’t need too much football insight to be able to say that if the Huish Park fitness table sees very little of Murphy and Hyde next season, a tilt for the title is a very realistic possibility.
Welcome to Huish Park, Jake!