20-year old international forward signs 3-year deal...

WALSALL Football Club are delighted to confirm the signing of Cypriot international Andreas Makris on a 3-year deal that will see the player become the club's record transfer.The fee will remain as undisclosed at the request of both clubs.The 20-year old forward joins the club from Anorthosis Famagusta with just days to go until the start of the 2016/17 Sky Bet League One campaign, subject to approval from the regulatory bodies and international clearance."I am very pleased to be here," he said. "From the moment I walked into the stadium I felt comfortable and I know this move will further my career."I will always give my best here and I can't wait to score goals and celebrate with the fans."I've followed Walsall since last year. Jason [Demetriou] gave me some great advice about Walsall FC, he's a good friend of mine and only said good things about the club."Of course every player has his own targets but for me I hope we can reach the Championship. Hopefully we have a good season this year and achieve our goals."The lively Makris came through the ranks at AEP Paphos before earning a move to Anorthosis with some eye catching displays as a 17-year old.He made the move to the Larnaca side in the summer of 2013 for €20,000 and was named the Best Young Player in Cyprus in the same year by the Cypriot FA.A year later the promising youngster was handed his first senior international call up and came on as an 85th minute substitute in a goalless draw with Northern Ireland.His 13 goals in 30 appearances helped fire Anorthosis to a third placed finish in the 2014/15 season, when he also came runner up in the country’s goal of the season award for his headed effort against AEL Limassol."I became aware of him last year when he was playing for Cyprus with Jason [Demetriou]," explained Head Coach Jon Whitney. "When I was looking at some of the footage from the medical side of things I noticed him and started to profile him back then and asking Jason what he was like as a character and a person."He's had a lot of interest over the years. He made his professional debut at an early age and went on to become a full international so he's got good experience for a 20 year old."I wanted to get a striker in who has got potential and someone we can develop over the next three years and I can see him really fitting in with the clubs philosophy."He fits in to the profile we look for in the forward areas and he can play as a number nine or out on either wing. He's got a great energy about him, an eye for goal and has a good tactical awareness which is important for how we play."Fundamentally he has a hunger to come and play and it's great that he has decided that Walsall Football Club are the best option to help him fulfil his potential."Makris will wear the squad number 33 for the 2016/17 season.