TT BLOG

Thomas Kelly – @tommyktufc

Tom talks about the newest Gull

The worst kept secret in Torquay is finally out! Matt’s signing to TQ1 is not one of surprise, with many of the Yellow Army confident that the Gulls would acquire the services of the former Yeovil Town midfielder after his move to Oldham Athletic saw him deemed surplus to requirements by the now EFL side.

Matt’s addition blusters what has been a midfield heavy transfer window for Paul Wotton, so let’s take a look at United’s seventh summer addition to Plainmoor!

"𝐇𝐞'𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞?!"#tufc pic.twitter.com/5OPGRvsEeb
— Torquay United FC (@TUFC1899) July 17, 2025

CAREER SUMMARY

Born in Southampton, Matt’s career started as he traversed across the M27, starting his youth career with Portsmouth in 2006 before moving back to his birthplace in 2008 with the Saints for three years before settling at AFC Bournemouth in 2011 where he would progress from the youth team to first team, making his only appearance for the Cherries in 2017 as Matt made his Premier League debut as a late substitute in the Cherries 1-1 draw away at Leicester City on the final day of the season after a brief four game loan deal with Eastbourne Borough earlier in the season.

At the end of August 2017, Matt would make his first venture to Yeovil Town which saw him stay at the Glovers on loan until the end of January the following year before finding himself on loan the following season to Forest Green Rovers, where he would record his only goal in the EFL (to date).

Yeovil reacquired Matts services in January 2019 where he would go on to make 204 appearances for the Glovers, scoring eleven times from midfield. Despite experiencing two relegations with the Glovers, he was apart of the team that saw Yeovil bounce back to the National League at the first time of asking, alongside the likes of Jordan Young, Jay Foulston, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton & Dylan Morgan in 2023/24.

Earlier this year, Yeovil allowed Matt to move to Oldham on a free transfer but appearances were limited up north and he featured for the Latics just nine times before his move to TQ1 on a three year deal.

HIGHLIGHTS

Although not predominately a goal scoring midfielder, he isn’t afraid to get forward in the box and also shows great composure when on the ball, as shown in his goal v Braintree.

TALKING ABOUT MATT

Paul Wotton on Worthington signing for United – “He’s played at a higher level for the vast majority of his career and he’s won this league before. He fits exactly what we’re looking for.”

WORTHINGTON STATS

DATE OF BIRTH: 18TH DECEMBER 1997 – 27 YEARS-OLD

BIRTHPLACE: SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND

HEIGHT: 1.79M

POSITION: CENTRAL MIDFIELD

NL 24-25 STATS: APPEARANCES 30, GOALS 0, YELLOW CARDS 5, RED CARDS 0

MOST LIKELY/LEAST LIKELY

Most Likely To

Be nominated as Team Captain.
Be the first name on the Team Sheet.

Least Likely To

Enjoy a can of Worthington’s.
Send Mark Cooper a Christmas Card.

CONCLUSION

Former NLS winner playing alongside some of his former NLS winning teammates? That can only bode well for United’s hopes of success going into this seasons NLS campaign with it looking likely that Paul Wotton’s transfer business all bar one or two loan signings is now complete.

After concerns of the strength of our midfield going into the summer break, there can be no denying that Paul Wotton has strengthened this area immensely

Matty brings leadership and experience at winning at this level, the attributes perhaps we were missing last season in our failed promotion push. You would expect for Matty to take the captains armband going into this season and hopefully enjoy playing his football again in front of packed Plainmoor crowds.

I’m not sure how it ended at Yeovil with him, but one thing is for sure, we are delighted to have you onboard Matty. Lead on skipper!