Antoni Sarcevic ready to kick on at Shrewsbury
Antoni Sarcevic wants to make up for a 'wasted two years' as he tipped Shrewsbury to put their struggles behind them.
The 24-year-old Fleetwood attacking midfielder became Micky Mellon's fourth summer signing when he signed a two-year deal to follow fellow free agents Olly Lancashire, Gary Deegan and Louis Dodds.
Sarcevic scored 20 goals in 138 games in three years with the Cod Army, playing 40 matches in 2014/15 and 44 last season.
But 15 of those goals came in his first season at Highbury which included scoring the winner in the League Two play-off final against Burton Albion.
And the Mancunian, who is of Italian and Serbian descent, believes he hasn't kicked on as much as he wanted since then, particularly in front of goal.
However, the exciting winger or attacker reckons he can fulfil his potential at the Greenhous Meadow.
"A massive factor for myself is to enjoy my football again because I feel as if a couple of years have been wasted," said Sarcevic. "Personally I want to put all that behind me and focus on improving at Shrewsbury.
"So what Micky (Mellon) has said to me and what he wants from me was a massive thing for me to get this move done.
"I know from speaking to the chairman and Micky, it's going to be a good year for the club."
Sarcevic, who really impressed in Fleetwood's Johnstone's Paint Trophy win over Shrewsbury, is looking to rediscover his scoring touch.
"One (target) will hopefully be goals next season," he said. "I missed out on a few last season to other factors like where I was playing, but I want to chip in with some goals."
And he feels he can give Town some of the best years of his career. "Twenty-four is a young age, I've got a lot to give and I want to produce that at Shrewsbury," he said.
Sarcevic announced he would be leaving last week and admitted there was lots of interest in him.
"There were quite a few clubs interested," he said. "But as soon as Shrewsbury was one of them, I wanted to get it done."
Like his fellow new arrivals, Sarcevic admitted Mellon's enthusiasm was infectious.
"The main thing was the manager, who made it clear how much he really wanted me," he added. "Then there's the stature of the club."
Assistant manager Mike Jackson revealed Town had been tracking Sarcevic for months.
"We've played against him a few times and we've had him watched throughout the season," he said.
"We targeted him probably months before the end of the season. He's a good player, a good age, good size, technically very good – especially in the final third – and he likes to get a goal. He's also got good delivery from set-pieces so he ticks a lot of boxes."
