PRITCHARD: 'I Feel Wanted Here'

As the first player to sign for the Club since Francesco Becchetti’s takeover, Leyton Orient’s latest addition Bradley Pritchard revealed that manager Russell Slade’s confidence in him convinced him to sign.

Q: So Bradley how pleased are you to be joining the O’s?

BP: Very pleased. It was really essential getting this deal done and I’m really excited to get started now.

Q: How did the move come about?

BP: The manager first got in touch with my agent and then I heard there was definite interest. Once I heard that Orient were interested in me I was hoping we could get a deal sorted.

Q: What was it in particular about Orient that attracted you to them?

BP: It was pretty much everything, including the success that they had last year. I spoke to a few of my friends, some who have played here, and they all spoke so highly of the club in general as well as the players and the management. I felt that this was definitely a club that I wanted to be a part of.

Q: What players did you speak to?

BP: Robbie Simpson was one. I went to uni with him and we’ve kept in touch since. He spoke so highly of everyone here and once I told him about the interest he said to make it happen.

Q: What sort of things do you think you can bring to the table?

BP: I like to get round the pitch; I’m a box-to-box type of player. I hope I can be an asset in whatever way, both on and off the pitch.

Q: What about the team’s ambitions next season, what do you hope to see the team achieve?

BP: I want us to go one better than last year. I watched the final and I thought we were very unlucky. I really want to help push the team on and improve on last year.

Q: And what are your personal goals for next season?

BP: I hope to play as much as possible and score goals. I’d like to help the team build on and I really want to be ever present in the team to make both the players and fans proud.

Q: You’ve only missed a few days of pre-season so how do you feel about not having to do too much catching up?

BP: I’m quite lucky in that regard, I’ve tried to do as much as I can on my own but you can only do so much until you want to have a ball at your feet and start joining in with the other lads.

Q: It must be handy having previously been at Charlton you can stay in the South East?

BP: That was definitely one of the factors to me signing. Staying around my family and friends encouraged me to become a part of this club.

Q: What about the manager Russell Slade, what struck you about him?

BP: Just his confidence in me. Every player wants to feel like they are wanted and as if they can add quality or be an asset to the team. When I met him last week for negotiations I really felt as though he wants me as part of this team. That gave me a lot of confidence.

Q: With the press conference this morning and everything regarding the takeover it must be an exciting time to join?

BP: It is, it’s a bit chaotic and crazy but it is a really good time to be at the club. Whether you are a fan, a player, in the backroom staff or anything, you want to be part of a club that is moving forward.