LETHAL goalscorer Luke Beckett is on his way back to Town!
Peter Jackson's top transfer target has agreed a three-year contract at the Galpharm, subject to completing a medical on Monday.
It's a massive boost to Town's promotion credentials and to supporters who suffered the misery of play-off defeat only seven weeks ago.
An undisclosed fee -- understood to be around £85,000 - has been fixed with Sheffield United and has been funded from the proceeds of those failed play-offs.
"I'm absolutely delighted Luke has agreed to join us and I've no doubt he will be a brilliant signing for this club," said Jackson today.
"Everyone knows what a top-quality goalscorer he is and he has been my first-choice striker to bring in right through the summer. It's dragged on longer than I anticipated, but all the hard work has been worth it to land someone of Luke's proven ability as a goalscorer."
Beckett netted 18 goals in only 28 starts plus 10 substitute appearances on loan for Oldham last season after banging in six from seven during his short spell with Town the previous campaign.
"Luke loved it here, the fans really took to him and I have no doubts whatsoever he's going to be a huge success as we look to take this club forward," added Jackson, who has not ruled out further transfer activity to add to Beckett and keeper Matt Glennon.
"His goals-per-start ratio last season put him among the top five in the country and to get someone of that calibre on a three-year deal, someone who we know can do a great job for this club, is a real boost as we start our pre-season.
"It hasn't been easy to bring this about because there have been a lot of other interested parties, but the board have backed me, I've held my nerve to stick out and try to bring Luke to the Galpharm and - because the lad himself knows what we are about - we have managed to succeed."
Beckett, who at 29 has 136 goals in 309 career games with seven different clubs, still had a year of his contract to run at the newly-promoted Premiership club.
He will travel with the club for the Copa de Ibiza tournament in a fortnight and is certain to make his Galpharm bow in Andy Booth's Testimonial match against Real Sociedad on Tuesday, July 25.
"Luke is one of the most dangerous strikers around and he will add a massive goal threat to our squad," added Jackson.
"Best of all, I know how keen he was to join us and how much he wants to do a top job for the supporters here."
Meanwhile, Town's home and away derbies against Bradford City will have early kick-offs.
The trip to Valley Parade on October 7 will have a 1pm start because England have a European Championship qualifier that day.
At the Galpharm on Saturday, March 10, the kick-off will be noon, in line with last season.
One other fixture - the final away trip of the campaign to Northampton - has been brought forward 24 hours to Friday, April 27 (7.45), because of a big rugby union fixture.
