BRAINTREE Town has signed prolific goalscorer Nnamdi Nwachuku from AFC Sudbury, writes DAVID WARD.

And the Iron are set to bring in a second new striker within the next few days, as they prepare for their new National League South season.

Nwachuku, a former Colchester United trainee, scored an incredible 49 goals last season to help AFC Sudbury win promotion from Pitching In Isthmian League division north.

He is seen by Iron manager Angelo Harrop as an ideal replacement for striker Alfie Pavey, who has moved to Farnborough as a full-time player.

 

Harrop said: "I'm delighted to get Nnamdi on board because I know all about him and he has a proven goal scoring record but we now need to add another striker to replace Lamar Reynolds, who has moved to Maidstone also for full-time football.

"Hopefully within the next few days we will achieve this second new signing who again has a proven record of scoring goals at top non-league level."

 

Harrop and his backroom team held their first pre-season training session on the artificial pitch at Braintree's Tabor Academy Centre on Saturday.

There were 23 players in attendance, despite one or two of last season's squad still being away on holiday.

Harrop said: "It was a great first session and I have to say it's the most professional and personally satisfying one I have ever had.

"We now need to keep this high standard and momentum going and I am confident we will have an even better squad of players than last season.

"All the players know what we expect and we intend to have that high standard at every training session as we prepare for what again will be a tough campaign in our league where you have to be your game right from the start."

Among the new faces at the first training session was newly-signed Josh Dawodu.

The 22-year-old defender was at Hendon last season and was originally a young professional at Sheffield Wednesday.

 

Also on show was full-back Toby Stevenson, 23, who spent last season at Billericay Town.

Off the field, another newcomer to the Iron camp is Michael Brothers, who takes over the head coach role to support Harrop and his number two, Steve Pitt.

Brothers was heavily involved in the squad's first training session.

The Iron are now planning on having three training sessions a week and as with Saturday's opener, there will be a variety of trialists on view too.

Harrop insists they will all be given a chance to show their mettle, not just in those sessions but equally important in pre-season friendly games.

"It's good to see how they react not just in training but also in a match situation and everyone who comes along will be given that opportunity," he added.

This coming Thursday evening (June 22) both Harrop and Pitt will be holding an open question and answer session with Braintree fans and supporters at the clubhouse, starting at 8pm.

Harrop added: "We want as many people to come along as possible.

"It's a chance for us to tell them about our hopes for the forthcoming season and we want to hear their views too and also possible ways that they can help and the club to continue to move forward."