Wivenhoe Town boss Steve Pitt was beaming after capturing the signature of goalkeeper Olly Sanders.
The 6ft 4in stopper, 23, has returned to the Colchester area after completing a four-year soccer scholarship in the United States.
Sanders had attracted interest from Conference South Hornchurch, but he has decided to stick closer to home and sign for Dr Martens League eastern division team Wivenhoe.
Pitt said: "Olly first joined me at Wivenhoe from Stanway Rovers when he was 18 and he blossomed into an excellent goalkeeper.
"He's developed even more since he's been in the States so I'm not surprised Hornchurch were keen to speak to him. "But he came to watch us play towards the end of last season and I'm delighted he's chosen us.
"He will be, without a doubt, one of the top goalkeepers in our league next season. "He has a huge presence, but he's also a bit of a gentle giant."
The new keeper's arrival has seen previous number one Matt Greenley leave the club, but Pitt is confident former Heybridge Swifts stopper Tim Bruce will stay to compete with Sanders.
Published Wednesday June 30, 2004
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