Lewes have made a move to answer their goalscoring problems by bringing fans’ favourite Jean-Michel Sigere back to the club.
The former France under-21 international completed his move from Tonbridge Angels yesterday Sigere, 32, was a hugely popular player during his first spell at the Dripping Pan, scoring 28 goals in 51 appearances in his first season at the club after joining in June 2005.
A serious knee injury hampered his progress at the club after that but he played two key roles in the Blue Square south title success in 2008, scoring a winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time as Lewes beat Thurrock in March of that season to move four points clear at the top and then hitting a killer second in a 2-0 win at home to Dorchester which secured the title.
Sigere left Lewes to join Eastbourne Borough in the summer of 2008 but the move did not work out and, after a second loan spell at Horsham, he teamed up again with former boss Steven King at Farnborough before switching to Tonbridge Angels in the summer.
His total of 43 goals in 95 appearances for Lewes in all competitions helped cement his place as one of the most popular players at the club in recent times.
Manager Steve Ibbitson has been working hard to strike a deal with Sigere and the pair finally came to an agreement yesterday.
Ibbitson, however, is keen to stress that his arrival will not instantly solve all the Rooks’ problems.
Ibbitson said: “Siggy’s coming home but I must stress that he has been at Tonbridge and we need to get him match fit.
“He’s not played as much football as he would have liked but we’re very pleased to have him.
“We’ve been looking for somebody who can give us a goal threat and we also have some good young players at the club that Siggy can help as well.
“We’re pleased to have someone of his experience as well and the threat he offers in the box but what people have got to appreciate is it is going to take a number of weeks to get him fully match fit and playing in the style that we play.
“I don’t see this as a quick fix, I see it as a big signing for the club for the rest of the season and, hopefully, we have added another bit to the jigsaw which has been missing.”
Sigere began his career at Bordeaux before moving in 2000 to Rushden and Diamonds, who he played for in the Football League. He subsequently played for Stevenage, Margate, who paid £7,500 for his services, Hornchurch, Heybridge Swifts and Gravesend before joining Lewes.
He goes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game at home to Eastleigh.
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