Worcester City sign defender Elliot Keightley from Evesham

The defender joins having spent the past two seasons with Evesham United, helping them avoid relegation in 21/22 and then being part of the side that reached the play-off semi-finals under manager Mike Ford in the 22/23 campaign.

Keightley, who plays centre-half, made 42 appearances for The Robins during his spell, having played for the likes of Bishops Cleeve, Yate Town and Cirencester Town.

He now takes a step downthe non-league ladder to join former Evesham teammate Adam Mace in a new-look City squad being built by City boss Chris Cornes.

"After talking to Chris and him explaining what he’s trying to achieve this season and beyond, the project he outlined excites me," said Keightley.

Elliot Keightley joins Worcester City after two seasons with Evesham United (Image: Worcester City)

"It is a good chance to gain my third promotion and get more silverware for a massive club that deserves to be higher than where it currently is. I can’t wait to get started." 

Commenting on another new signing joining the ranks, manager Cornes added: "The signing of Elliott is a big one from my point of view.

"Defensively, we conceded way to many soft goals and that’s an area I really wanted to strengthen. Elliott has already won a couple of promotions at higher levels and is another really experienced player which adds to an abundance of that already at the club."

Keightley is new signing number six for Cornes as the rebuild at the club continues.

Chris Cornes kept Worcester City in the MFL Premier last seaosn, but will now have his sights on promotion with his side in the Hellenic League Premier (Image: Through The Lens)

Having released half of the squad, Cornes has focussed his recruitment mainly on local players who have played in and around Step 5, with most of the incomings having played above City's current level. 

The lack of goals last year has been addressed with new forwards Robbie Thompson-Brown and Zaq Hussain coming in to join striker Dylan Hart as the goal-getters.

Zaq Hussain scored 32 goals in 34 appearances of OJM Black County in the 2022/23 season (Image: Cliff Williams)

But he has also looked to add experience to the defence, with Pershore captain Kirk Layton, former Raiders' skipper Logan Stoddart and the Evesham duo of Adam Mace and now Keightley coming in. 

All of those have plenty of games in non-league football under their belt and three of those four have captained sides to success as well. Mace was the club captain for Evesham during his time with The Robins.

City are playing in the Hellenic Premier next season after being moved over from the MFL Premier, where they have been ever since dropping out of the National League. 

With the squad developing nicely, it looks as if City will go into the season, which starts in six weeks, as one of the favourites.