YOUNG defender Ben Heneghan has been snapped up by Scottish Premier League side Motherwell after two impressive seasons with Chester.
The ex-Everton trainee joined the Blues in August 2014 after a successful trial following his release from Premier League side Stoke City.
The 22-year-old centre-back went on to become a key player for Chester, racking up 92 appearances for the club and scoring seven times.
His performances prompted a call up to the England C squad and also got a number of Football League clubs watching his progress.
MK Dons, Sheffield United and Shrewsbury Town were all reportedly interested in signing the out of contract defender but he has opted to move north of the border on a two-year deal.
He becomes the third Non-League player to sign for Motherwell in the past couple of seasons, following ex-Kidderminster winger Marvin Johnson and former Wrexham striker Louis Moult.
It is unclear whether Chester will receive any compensation for the 22-year-old due to him moving to a club in a different national association.
He joins Motherwell alongside Richard Tait, who won promotion to League Two last season with Grimsby Town and Jacob Blyth, a former Nuneaton Griff, Bedworth United and Leamington striker.
Motherwell boss Mark McGhee said: “We are delighted to have secured all three lads as in all each situation, we had to battled hard against clubs on both sides of the border.
“All three have been identified via our scouting network, headed up by Martin Foyle (ex-Port Vale, York City, Hereford United and Southport boss), and we’ve really done our homework on them all.
“Ben will come in and battle it out with Kieran Kennedy, Louis Laing and Stephen McManus for a centre-back position.
“I am really looking forward to working with them all when we start on Monday. We’ve got other areas of the park we’re looking to strengthen, and will continue trying to nail our top targets.”
