ASHTON United have made a statement signing by securing the services of Jordan Eastham following his release from Blackburn Rovers.
The 23-year-old goalkeeper had been on the books at his boyhood club for a decade before becoming one of 20 players released from Ewood Park this summer.
The stopper made 29 appearances in two loan spells for the Robins last season, helping guide the team to a fifth-placed finish and a berth in the Northern Premier League (NPL) Premier Division Play-Offs, where they lost out to Worksop Town in the semi-finals.
“This is a major signing and was the most important one we’ve done for the new season,” Ashton boss Steve Cunningham told the Correspondent.
“We believe we have secured one of the best goalkeepers in the North West.”
Rumours suggest there was plenty of competition for Eastham’s signature, but he has chosen the virtual guarantee of first team football at Hurst Cross.
The talented goalkeeper also spent time on loan at Hyde United in the 2023/24 campaign, where he lifted the Cheshire Senior Cup after a penalty shoot-out victory over Crewe Alexandra.
Meanwhile on the other side of town, Curzon Ashton have also made a pair of new additions to their squad.
Scottish midfielder Crispin McLean joins on an initial three-month loan from Fleetwood Town, arriving at the Tameside Stadium on the same day he signed his first two-year professional contract.
The 18-year-old was Fleetwood’s Under-18s Coaches’ Player of the Year last season, helping his side to a deep run in the FA Youth Cup and making his first team debut in the EFL Trophy against Barrow.
The former Rangers and Hibernian youngster also spent time at Lancaster City on a work experience loan in the spring, making six starts as he helped the Dolly Blues stave off relegation from the NPL.
“Fleetwood’s policy of wanting young talented prospects to go out and experience first team football is ideal for both Curzon and Crispin,” said returning Nash manager, Mark Bradshaw.
“His loan spell in the Northern Premier League last season showed the potential in him and we are happy now to help him progress with the challenge of the National League North and we are excited to see him develop further with us.”
Adding more youth to the side is 17-year-old winger Ben Connolly, who joins after a short spell with Welsh champions The New Saints.
Assistant head coach Jack Salkeld said: “We saw him trialling for the reserves and he caught our eye, we’ve given him the opportunity to join the first team and also given another young player a pathway to the men’s team – we look forward to seeing him progress.”