10 more top signings of the summer so far
In the fourth part of our series, Dave Jones looks at some of the best N.Wales captures
JAMIE REED (Llandudno to Bangor City)
Reed has played for five Welsh Premier League clubs but undoubtedly showed his finest form at Bangor, where he was top scorer in 2009/10 and a title winner in 2010/11.
With 77 goals in 119 WPL starts, the 28-year-old is proven class at this level and his return to the Citizens has been warmly welcomed by the fans.
If City are to become a topsix side again this term they badly need a 20-goals-a-season man and Reed fits the bill.
STEVE WATKIN (Malpas to Brickfield Rangers)
Former Wrexham AFC Youth and Malpas captain Watkin has returned to the Wrexham area to sign for Dave Norman and Simon Sedgwick’s new-look Rangers.
Watkin, who has played the majority of his football career in the English system, is a nononsense centre-half with the ability to win everything.
Director of football Norman said: “To bring Steve back to the Welsh system is a major coup for us at Brickfield and this signing clearly shows our desire and ambition to mount a serious title challenge this season.”
MIKE JONES (Cefn Druids to Caernarfon Town)
Goalkeeper Mike Jones has arrived at The Oval from Cefn Druids.
The 23-year-old starred for Prestatyn Town in the Huws Gray Alliance last season.
Canaries manager Iwan Williams said: “Mike is a highlyrated goalkeeper who joins us from Cefn Druids.
“He played the majority of last season at Prestatyn before joining Druids in the summer to try his hand in the Welsh Premier League.
“Unfortunately Mike hasn’t settled at The Rock and when made available I jumped at the chance to bring him to Caernarfon, as I have been tracking him for a couple of years.
“He’s your typical sweeper keeper with fantastic technique. He’s passionate, a good communicator, and commands the box very well.” FABIO BASSANGUE (Airbus)
Airbus have signed central midfielder Fabio Bassangue after successful pre-season trials.
The 23-year-old Portuguese played for Odivelas as a youth in his native country before signing professionally for Portimonense SC on the Algarve.
He later switched to third division GD Lagoa before relo- cating to France with his family and joining local club Montpellier Arceaux to maintain his fitness levels. Then he moved to the UK to develop his football career.
Wingmakers’ director of football Andy Preece told www. welsh- premier. com: “Fabio has been with us in preseason and been excellent in all the games. He is an allround player that gives us flexibility. A few clubs at a higher level were interested in signing him but we are fortunate he decided to sign for us.”
ALLAN DAVIES (Glan Conwy to Llandudno Albion)
Davies was top scorer for Glan Conwy in Welsh Alliance Division One last season and should prove a fine capture for WPL Division Two newcomers Llandudno Albion.
The new signing can operate in several positions and possesses bags of experience playing at this level.
Albion joint-manager Paul Cheung said: “He’s also a close friend of the group so fits in perfectly.”
LEE OWENS (Bangor City to Bala Town)
Owens signed for Bangor City from Airbus UK Broughton in June, but his stay at Nantporth was short-lived.
Unconfirmed rumours of a fall-out with City keeper Connor Roberts reportedly led to Owens’ departure from the club and a move to Bala.
The Citizens’ loss is the Lakesiders’ gain, with Owens having emerged as one of the WPL’s best defenders in recent seasons.
Owens joined Airbus in the summer of 2012 after being out of the game for two years. He was previously at Wigan Athletic and Vauxhall Motors.
In four seasons with the Wingmakers, he featured in 93 Welsh Premier League matches.
GAVIN SHARPE (Llannerchymedd to Holyhead Hotspur)
Versatile Sharpe has secured himself a promotion to the Huws Gray Alliance with Anglesey’s No1 club Hotspur.
At Llannerchymedd last season, Sharpe has also previously played for Llangefni Town and Bodedern Athletic.
Sharpe can operate on either flank and, with renowned ball skills, is often used as a central midfielder.
He was also part of the UEFA Regions Cup squad which triumphed in Estonia in summer 2014.
GUTO HUGHES (Glantraeth to Denbigh Town)
This 24-year-old arrived at Huws Gray Alliance club Denbigh in pre-season and has performed really well in warmup games.
Hughes was at Welsh Alliance club Glantraeth last term and has previously played in the Welsh Premier for Bangor City and Prestatyn Town, as well as having had a spell at Llanfairpwll.
The versatile performer is very athletic and has a good footballing brain and an ability to play anywhere across the back.
TOM WILLIAMS (Tranmere Rovers to Llandudno)
Young defender Williams has left National League Tranmere Rovers to try his luck in the Welsh Premier League with Llandudno.
Williams, who can operate on either side of defence, signs after moving on from Prenton Park, where he was part of a strong youth side already known to Tudno manager Alan Morgan.
Morgan said: “Tom is a good addition to the squad, he’s young and he will develop into a very good centre-half.
“He has all the attributes; great attitude, great work ethic, and he’ll fit right in with the lads.”
RYAN JONES (Holyhead Hotspur to Trearddur Bay United)
Talented attacker Jones rejoins Welsh Alliance champions Trearddur Bay after spending last season with Holyhead Hotspur in the Huws Gray Alliance.
Jones has represented the Ynys Môn squad in the Island Games.
Trearddur secretary Gwil Owen said: “Ryan spent many of his early seasons at the Bay and we are extremely pleased he has decided to come back home as we defend our league title.
“With three excellent new signings in Ry Lees and Dan McGuinness joining Ry Jones, and the majority of last season’s squad staying loyal to the management, we are very optimistic ahead of the 2016/17 campaign.”