BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent boss Tom Rothery hopes to have completed his pre-season transfer business after signing Amar Lewis from Stowmarket Town.

The central midfielder or wide man made 36 appearances for the Suffolk last season, during their successful Thurlow Nunn League campaign.

He chipped in with eight goals and heads to the Taydal Stadium with a good pedigree, having been scouted by West Ham and Chelsea when playing in Bermuda.

He has also spent time with Barnet since moving to England.

"Amar had a good season at Stowmarket and is a very energetic midfielder who can play in a number of positions, so will add more competition to the squad," said a delighted Rothery.

"Coming up to 20, he’s another player we can hopefully mould and develop.

"With Amar and Ricky (Griggs) signing, that’s pretty much all our business done now, with one academy player still to announce and a few players coming back in pre-season.

"It’s good to get it done early so we can now concentrate on the upcoming season and trying to gel the new side together.

"It’s been a hectic six weeks since the season finished but I’m happy with what we’ve been able to do."

Lewis is the latest of several new additions since the close season began, including Harvey Hodd, Harry Morgan, Joe Maybanks, Matt Baxter and Darren Mills.

The latter joined over the weekend thanks to the club's supporters-funded "12th Man" scheme - the same initiative that enabled the club to recruit George Keys from Colchester United.

Mills has joined after leaving Leiston.

“Darren's an excellent signing for us and I feel he brings something completely different to the side,” said Rothery.

“As I’ve said before, we didn’t really have enough competition and options at times last season and the squad we're assembling now certainly has that and also a better balance.

"Adding the experience and mentality of somebody like Darren is huge, especially with a reasonably young squad.

"He’s come from Leiston where they were pushing for the play-offs last season and eventually got that spot so he knows what it takes to challenge at the top of this division and he has that positivity and winning mentality you need.

"He'll also be a big character in the changing room and similar to the time we signed Michael Brothers when we first joined the Isthmian League, he'll act as a focal figure for some of the younger lads.

"Most importantly, his style of play will really add something to us.

"He’s aggressive and direct and can play on his own up top or with a partner and also on the wing, so gives us good options.

"He will be another player who can add goals and back up what Billy Hunt gives us alongside the other signings we’ve made in attacking areas."