Former Cardiff City and Merthyr Town footballer Elliot Scotcher has signed for newly-promoted Welsh Premier League club Barry Town United.
Scotcher, 23, is the third signing for Barry manager Gavin Chesterfield, following Kayne McLaggon from Merthyr and Cambrian winger Sam Jones.
“Throughout our discussions, Elliot has shown a real desire to be part of our club and what we are about,” says Chesterfield, who has signed a two-year extension to his contract.
Scotcher, from Pembrokeshire, is a former Wales u-16 and u-17 international and joins Barry from Aberystwyth Town.
He caught the eye of former Manchester United and England player Roy Keane when he was Ipswich Town manager and spent two years at Portman Road before returning to South Wales and enrolling at Cardiff Met University.
The Tenby-born central midfield player played a major role in Met’s climb in the Welsh domestic pyramid.
After graduating he signed for Merthyr Town before switching to the black and green of Aberystwyth in this year’s January transfer window.
Former Cardiff City youth player Scotcher, who has also played for Carmarthen Town and Newport County, said about his move to Jenner Park: “I’m delighted to have joined such a progressive club at an important moment in its history.”
Manager Gavin Chesterfield added: “Elliot is a player who fits our philosophy and style very well and will add further creativity and quality to our midfield.
“I’m looking forward to working with Elliot and helping him fulfill his undoubted potential.”
Goalscorer McLaggon, who is from Barry, and teenage winger Jones are the other players signed by Chesterfield so far.
Barry had also signed Clayton Green, an experienced and combative central midfield player, but he has now taken up a playing opportunity in Australia.
The former Frome, Paulton Rovers and Evesham player is a former captain of the successful University of South Wales men’s football team, while he has represented both Welsh Universities and British Universities in international fixtures.
Barry have given Clayton, the son of former Barry player Phil Green, their best wishes in his new venture.