Kidsgrove Athletic sign Gibraltar international and league’s top scorer

KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC have signed Gibraltar international David Artell alongside goalkeeper Krystian Burzynski and prolific striker Luke Keen.

Artell, 35, has seven caps for his country and returns to English football after a three-year spell in Wales with Wrexham, Bala Town and Port Talbot Town.

The centre-half started his career with Rotherham United and has plenty of Football League experience with the Millers, Shrewsbury, Mansfield, Morecambe and Crewe Alexandra.

Kidsgrove boss Pete Ward told the club’s website: “David is another strong addition to our defence. We now have quality and competition in that area with him, Taylor Attrell, Ash Hodgkinson and Ryan Austin.”

Ward has also signed young Polish stopper Burzynski from Nantwich Town to replace the departed Ben Chapman.

The 21-year-old former Crewe youngster played 17 times for Evo-Stik NPL Premier Nantwich last season, keeping seven clean sheets.

The third new addition is Romulus striker Keen, who was the joint top scorer in the NPL Division One South last season alongside Kidsgrove’s Anthony Malbon.

The pair, who netted 28 goals each last term, will now be teaming up next season and boss Ward believes it’s a big sign of the club’s intent.

He added: “Luke is a great signing for us. His goalscoring record is fantastic and I’ve been a great admirer of him over the last six seasons or so.

“We’re really pleased to get this one over the line, it’s a testament to the ambition we’re showing to attract players of Luke’s ability to the club.”