Spireites: Jimmy Ryan insists Chesterfield are going places

The 24-year-old became the Spireites’ third pre-season signing yesterday (Wednesday), following the arrival of Eoin Doyle and Aaron Chapman.

Ryan was encouraged by Scunthorpe United manager Brian Laws to seek a new club with his contract up at Glanford Park at the end of June.

The midfielder has joined Chesterfield in an initial one-year deal with the option for an extension.

He said: “I admired them when I played here with Accrington.

“The club sold itself because you just look around and you know it’s going places so I wanted to be a part of that.”

The former Shrewsbury and Accrington Stanley man, who also boasts two FA Youth Cup medals with Liverpool, has made more than 200 professional league appearances.

“I wanted to come here because I knew the staff and I knew the football that they wanted to play,” he added.

Spireites assistant manager Leam Richardson, who played with Ryan during the 2008 and 2011 seasons witnessed the signing.

He said: “He’s a fantastic footballer and a great lad. He handles the ball very well and to add him to what we’re trying to do at Chesterfield just seems right.”