Exeter City have signed striker Josh Magennis on a one-year deal

Josh Magennis says he was excited about the project which tempted him to join Exeter City on a one-year deal. The 33-year-old striker was released by Wigan Athletic at the end of last season despite making 41 appearances for the Latics last season, scoring 11 goals.

City were by no means alone in their pursuit of the signature of a player who has more than 550 career appearances to his name and a further 79 caps for his country. But the project proposed to him by Grecians boss Gary Caldwell convinced him that St James Park was the right place.

“This has been in the works for a while and the communication has been nothing but positive throughout, so it’s really good to get over the line,” Magennis said. “The ambition of the club really sold it to me, seeing that there is such a young and dynamic squad.”

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Caldwell added: “Josh is someone who had a lot of options this summer but chose to come to Exeter City and of course we’re delighted about that.

“He is a real, proven goalscorer at this level and above, as well as having an excellent international pedigree with Northern Ireland. His experience will be of great benefit to our younger forwards such as Sonny Cox and Milli Alli.”

Magennis’ arrival certainly means City will go into their pre-season program with plenty of attacking options, with Cox, Alli and Magennis likely to battle it out for a starting role in Caldwell’s starting XI for season opener against Rotherham United at St James Park. Saturday, August 10.

Magennis actually started out as a goalkeeper, but when he switched to attack, his career really took off. The Bangor-born frontman joined Cardiff City’s Academy and, after turning professional, made 10 appearances, mainly as a substitute, before moving to Aberdeen in July 2010.

After four years at Pittodrie, Magennis moved to Kilmarnock where he spent two years before returning to England and joining Charlton Athletic in August 2016. He scored 20 times in 81 league appearances for the Addicks before an undisclosed move to Bolton Wanderers.

After a year with the Trotters, Magennis joined Hull City, where he spent two-and-a-half years before joining Wigan in January 2022. In total, he made 98 appearances for the Latics, scoring 14 goals before being released by Shaun Maloney at the end of last season.

For Northern Ireland, Magennis is aiming to reach 100 caps and firmly believes he can do so while at City.

“This is a prestigious club, it’s a passionate, community-focused fan club and we saw that early on,” he said. “At no point did I come here and think my international career wouldn’t continue to flourish and progress.

“My aim is to get 100 and I fully believe I will be able to achieve that here at Exeter City, but in football nothing is a given so firstly I have to stake my claim in the team here and put in performances that to justify. a call to the national team.”