Scunthorpe United’s newest recruit, Oli Rose, has spoken of his excitement and ambitions after making a permanent switch from Peterborough United.
The 19-year-old defender, who impressed during a loan spell at the Attis Arena last season, has signed a two-year deal and is eager to kickstart his career with the Iron.
“I was at Peterborough since I was nine years old, so I was there for 10 years,” Rose revealed to BBC Radio Humberside.
“I know the club very well and it was what I was comfortable with, but I just felt I needed a new chapter.”
While the fee is undisclosed, Peterborough United owner Darragh MacAnthony has confirmed that a large, albeit unconfirmed, sell-on clause is part of the deal, ensuring Posh will benefit from the youngster’s future success.
The young defender is no stranger non league football, having experienced a loan spell at Scunthorpe last season, and believes the standard of football is high. “I think the National League is not far off League Two nowadays,” he stated. “I think it’s a really good level of football. You’ve got some big teams in the league like Forest Green and Carlisle. There’s good players in the league.”
Rose, who has been handed the number two shirt, is determined to make the right-back position his own and is focused on playing consistently. “At 19 years old, if I’m playing consistently, playing well, I think it will do me the world of good,” he said.
Having been a part of Peterborough’s pre-season preparations, including a week at St. George’s Park, Rose is confident in his fitness levels. “I did pre-season with Peterborough, I went away for a week at St George’s,” he explained.
“I’ve been keeping fit. Obviously when I heard the news that Scunthorpe wanted me, I was just training for a couple of weeks before getting the move done. I’m fit, ready and can’t wait to get started.”
The defender is the ninth new signing for the Iron this summer, and he believes the competition for places will be a positive for the squad. “The group is really good,” he said of his new teammates. “There’s good players and I think it’s good there’s competition for each position. It pushes everyone to train hard, be at their best.”
With the new season just days away, Rose and his teammates are building up to their opening fixture against Tamworth. “It’s exciting,” he said. “We’ve got a week of training leading up to Saturday. We just got to train well, work hard and make sure we’re best prepared.”
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