Yeovil Town have strengthened their squad with the signing of striker Ciaran McGuckin and midfielder Jacob Maddox.
As widely trailed, McGuckin returns on loan from League One side Rotherham United following a successful spell at Huish Park last year, whilst Maddox has joined following his release by National League Premier Division rivals Forest Green Rovers.
The pair were announced on Tuesday afternoon with details of McGuckin’s loan confirmed and Maddox signing on a permanent deal until summer 2026.
Speaking to the club’s official social media, McGuckin said: “It’s good to be back, it’s been a long time coming and it is good to finally get back.
“I went back (to Rotherham) in a good position thanks to Yeovil and having a few games under my belt thanks to Mark (Cooper) and his staff and in my head I had targets I wanted to meet here and I still have those.
“It was a great experience to learn from the calibre of players (I was playing with at Rotherham) and improve my game and it was nice to get some recognition for what I did here.
“But, once I knew going back out on loan was an option, after seeing the other offers, Yeovil was always my number one choice. I have a bit of unfinished business here and still have plenty of targets to hit and some more added to that.
“I think the supporters know I am going to come in and work hard and hopefully push for those play-off places.”
In his own interview, Maddox said: “It feels really good to be here and I am just excited for the challenge now. I trained this morning and the boys and manager were very welcoming, we spoke about how (the manager) wants to play and I feel it aligns with my qualities, so I am excited.
“I feel like I have a lot of experience and I like to bring that to my game. I like to say I am comfortable on the ball and have a lot of qualities, so I want to show that straight away, excite the fans and show those good qualities.
“I have played Yeovil before a few years back and always played quite well here, but it will be nice to put on a green shirt and do it for Yeovil.
“I am eager and ready to go with lots of hard work and hopefully qualities to show.”
Maddox, 26, has made a single National League Cup appearance for Forest Green this season having suffered with a hamstring injury.
The Bristol-born midfielder started his youth career at Bristol City before progressing in to the Chelsea academy for seven years where he had loan spells at Cheltenham Town, Tranmere Rovers and Southampton, before joining Portuguese side Vitoria de Guimaraes in 2020.
He had a loan spell back in the UK with Burton Albion before signing permanently with Walsall and then joining Forest Green in the summer of 2023.
McGuckin is a far better known face in Somerset. The Northern Ireland Under-21s international impressed during a month on loan when he scored twice in six appearances before being recalled by Rotherham United in late October where he has since made one start and two substitute appearances.
His return to Yeovil was confirmed by his manager Steve Evans at the weekend, adding: “He had a really good spell there and got some goals. It’s important that he goes out and gets three months of football education.”
McGuckin’s arrival will bolster a frontline which now also includes Harvey Greenslade following his return from his loan spell at Weston-super-Mare ahead of this weekend’s home match with Woking.
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