Pat Jones exits Chester after deal with Scunthorpe United sealed

Winger has joined the Glanford Park club for an undisclosed fee

Pat Jones has joined Scunthorpe United (CHARLIE STOCKTON)

Pat Jones has left Chester for an undisclosed fee after agreeing a deal with National League side Scunthorpe United.

Jones, 22, had been the subject of significant interest over the past week, with Hartlepool United coming in for the former Huddersfield Town and Exeter City winger on Thursday, seeing two bids rebuffed before a third was accepted by the Blues.

After Hartlepool made their move, Scunthorpe also submitted a bid for the former Wales under-21 international, who made a big impact at the Deva Stadium since arriving back in August following his release from EFL League One side Exeter.

The motivation for the Ruthin-based player was to come back closer to home and enjoy his football, and Chester included a number of caveats in his deal until the end of the season to ensure that they were able to land a player of his talents, but also be compensated if clubs from higher levels came calling.

A buy-out clause was inserted into his deal meaning that EFL clubs would have to pay a certain fee to take him in the January transfer window, something that didn’t materialise, in part due to the Blues poor form through December and January.

Another part of Jones signing initially was that the Blues would waive their right to claim training compensation from any club seeking to take him on a free this summer, hence Chester being open to sell him with nine games remaining of the National League North season.

Jones, who has made 34 appearances in all competitions for Chester this season and netted seven goals, has now made a permanent switch to the Iron, who defeated the Blues in the National League North play-off final last season, with The Seal understanding the deal is worth five figures to the club.

Chester were well aware that they had next to no chance of convincing Jones to extend his deal into next season and have opted to let the player make his move to the league above and recoup a good fee in the process.

Chester travel to Merthyr Town in the National League North this evening (7.45pm kick off).