Latics' manager on new striker signing
Lee Johnson believes he has unearthed an uncut diamond in Jonson Clarke-Harris, his first summer signing for Latics.Latics' manager insists it is his job to provide the polish and bring out the best in the 18-year-old striker who has been signed from Peterborough United for an undisclosed fee.
Johnson revealed Clarke-Harris came on to his radar when Latics won last month at Bury where Clarke-Harris was on loan.
He said: "In the first half of that match he was excellent.
"He was big, strong and scored a great goal which was disallowed.
"I watched the DVD of the game afterwards and like what I saw."
Johnson added that he had Clarke-Harris watched in all of his remaining games for Bury and received favourable reports from everybody who watched him.
He said: "When it comes to the risk and reward factor, Jonson is definitely worth it.
"He has all the attributes and potential to be a very good player.
"He is by no means the finished article and a lot of development work will be needed. And it is our job to do that because he could be anything he wants."
Clarke-Harris kicked off his career at Coventry City where he became their youngest-ever first-team player at 16 years and 20 days.
He joined Peterborough last summer, but did not make a senior appearance for Posh. He had loan spells at Southend and Bury in the season just ended.