WITH the news that one striker definitely wouldn't be returning to Braintree Town next season, the Iron have unveiled the addition of a new centre forward as manager Bradley Quinton continues his squad building.

On the day that it was revealed that last season's top scorer Michael Cheek would be staying in the National League after joining Dagenham and Redbridge, Braintree added Canvey Island striker George Sykes to their ranks.

The 6ft 4in 22-year-old forward arrives at the Iron with a strong goal-scoring pedigree in non-league football.

He was a former trainee with Barnet and made his senior debut at the age of 17 with the Bees against Bristol Rovers in 2012, before going on to be named League Two Apprentice of the Year at the Football League Awards in March 2013. During his three years with Barnet, Sykes had various loan spells before joining Dartford in 2015 and went on to make 25 appearances for the Kent side.

After a loan spell at Canvey Island, he made a permanent switch to the Ryman League premier division side last year where he scored 21 goals in a difficult season for the Gulls.

Sykes swept the board at the club's end of season presentation evening winning Manager's Player of the Year, Players' Player of the Year and the Supporters' Player of the Year awards.

Braintree have also announced the signing of three other new players.

Attacking midfielder Xavier Vidal comes to Braintree from Merstham, but the 22-year-old has also spent time with Welling United in the National League and at National League South side Hemel Hempstead.

The club have also announced the signing of 22-year-old winger Roman Michael-Percil.

He has previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, Billericay, Dulwich Hamlet and most recently Metropolitan Police where he scored nine goals in the Ryman League premier division last season.

The fourth signing is highly-rated Jonathan Muleba.

The 21-year old defender joined was a regular in Chelsea's under-18s and his impressive performances secured him the offer of a professional contract at the Blues.

However, he rejected the opportunity and joined Bournemouth on a two and a half year contract in January 2014.

Muleba received a call-up to the Democratic Republic of Congo's Under-20 national team during June 2013 and featured in a friendly against Chile.

He spent time last season in Braintree manager Brad Quinton's Enfield side that reached the Ryman League play-offs.