Jamshedpur FC have brought onboard 32-year-old English defender Peter Hartley on a free transfer from Scottish Premiership club Motherwell FC.
Born in Hartlepool town of England, Hartley signed a youth contract with Sunderland AFC in 2000 and turned pro with the club in 2006. A brief loan to Chesterfield followed in 2008 following which Peter turned down a chance to stay at Sunderland for an extra year and instead joined hometown club Hartlepool United FC in July of 2009.
After a few seasons at Hartlepool, Hartley continued playing for lower division English clubs – Stevenage FC, Plymouth Argyle, Bristol Rovers and Blackpool are some of these clubs.
In August 2017, Peter was sent out on loan from Blackpool FC to Scottish club Motherwell FC. After the loan deal expired, Motherwell signed the player on a permanent basis in January of 2018. In nearly three seasons of football in the Scottish Premiership, the centre-back made 53 appearances for The Steelmen. Last season, Peter captained the side and led them to a third place finish in the league behind Celtics and Rangers and in the process helped them to a UEFA Europa League spot.
In Hartley, Jamshedpur FC have signed a defender with tons of experience. Apart from his recent sojourn in the first-tier Scottish Premiership, Hartley has featured in over 300 matches in the second and third tier (League One and League Two) of English football. He has also played in English cup completions like the FA Cup and League Cup.
The left-footed centre-back also seems to have a healthy knack for scoring goals. In a career totalling 418 professional appearances, Hartley scored 37 goals and assisted 16. Hartley is the third foreign signing Jamshedpur FC have made his season behind 2019-20 ISL Golden Boot Nerijus Valskis and Brazilian midfielder Alex Monteiro de Lima.
I’m honoured to be given an opportunity to sign for Jamshedpur, a club with ambition to win.
I certainly didn’t have to think twice about playing for Owen Coyle, a manager held in high regard. I promise to give 110% every single day in order to bring success and silverware to the Jamshedpur supporters.
At every club that I have played for, my goal has always been to add glory to my jersey number till the day I depart.
Peter Hartley
Hartley is a massive signing for us. He brings in so much experience from playing in the English leagues and the Scottish Premiership.
He is a central defender with great capability and a born leader. He is a fighter who is mentally strong and a fierce competitor.
Hartley hates conceding goals and that’s the attitude I need from my centre-back.
Owen Coyle, Head Coach, Jamshedpur FC.
[…] and helped them win the ISL League Winners Shield last season. The 34-year-old English centre-back arrived at JFC in September 2020 and over the course of two and a half seasons made 47 appearances and managed to score six […]