DOM’S DELIGHT AS HORNETS BAG MONLOUIS

HORSHAM have signed St Lucian international Kieran Monlouis after his impressive performances for the Isthmian Premier side in pre-season.

The 25-year-old midfielder began his career at the academies of Crystal Palace, Stoke City and Charlton Athletic before dropping into Non-League with Maldon & Tiptree.

While playing for St Albans in 2017, Monlouis was picked up by Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academical but failed to establish a first team spot.

Having left Dulwich Hamlet in the summer after one season at Champion Hill, he will be a familiar face at Horsham.

Last year, Monlouis, right, scored in a 3-0 win over the West Sussex side while on loan at Step 3 rivals Margate.

He made his debut for Saint Lucia last November in a 1-0 win over the Dominican Republic and Horsham boss Dom Di

Paola believes he has brought in a real talent. He told the club’s website: “I’ve been tracking him for a while. He’s a talented midfielder and we were in need of some numbers in there with

Lea Dawson and Alex Kelly going.

“He’s brilliant at carrying the ball and technically really good. He’s strong and got a goal threat in him. He’s had some setbacks so he’s looking for somewhere to showcase his ability, so hopefully it can work out for everyone.

“With the amount games we’re going have, we’re going need numbers.

“We found last year that we ran out of petrol in December and so the second-half of the season we were quite fatigued.

“We have to be of to to mindful of that and it will be a little like survival of the fittest.

“Once the season begins it will be a really competitive squad to get in, it has to be. Relying on the same 13 bodies every week is not where we want to be, it’s unsustainable.

“Players just have to understand it’s the nature of the beast. It’s not about rotation but adding someone like Kieran means we will be really strong even when we need to change things up.”