Defender Mathieu Baudry delighted to remain in League One with Leyton Orient
2:20pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Latest Sport
Mathieu Baudry became the O's fourth summer signing last week. Picture: Action Images
Summer signing Mathieu Baudry is keen to show what he is capable of in League One after he became Leyton Orient’s fourth new arrival.
The Frenchman penned a two-year deal with the Brisbane Road club last week following hot-on-the-heels of former AFC Bournemouth team-mate Michael Symes.
O’s boss Russell Slade had been keen to recruit both a targetman and another defender and in Symes and Baudry respectively, that is what he has got.
Baudry played alongside former Orient duo Charlie Daniels and Stephen Purches during his time on the south coast, and the 24-year-old revealed he heard good things about the O’s from his former team-mates.
“As soon as Leyton Orient contacted me I spoke to them (Daniels and Purches) about the club,” he explained.
“I am really happy because I wanted to find a good challenge.”
Baudry began his career in his native France with Troyes before making the move across the English Channel.
He joined Bournemouth in January last year and spent 18 months with the Cherries, meaning last season was his first complete campaign in English football.
When his chances became more limited at the Seward Stadium, he enjoyed a successful loan stay with Dagenham & Redbridge, but Baudry is keen to demonstrate his ability in the third tier again.
“I really wanted to come back to League One,” he continued.
“The season before, I started to play League One with Bournemouth and I feel quite comfortable at that level.”
He added: “It (the move) was League One and I wanted to show people what I can do in the division.
“That is really important to me. When I spoke to the manager I was really interested. I spoke to people and they told me it was a good club.”
Baudry was able to meet his new team-mates this week as the squad returned for pre-season training and he will no doubt want to be involved when Slade takes his squad to Sutton United for their first friendly in two weeks time.
Defence proved to be one of the main areas of concern for the O’s last season as an horrendous run of injuries restricted the manager from naming a settled back four.
Slade will be hoping for better fortune in that regard this time around and Baudry provides a welcome option on that front with both Terrell Forbes and Dean Leacock having left the club this summer.
Baudry added: “I am a centre back but I really like to play and be involved in the game. That is me. I like to be a part of it.
“I like to always give 100 per cent and I am a winner. I am nice off the pitch but I am different on it.”
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