NICK ARNOLD is targeting a return to the Football League with Aldershot after the defender made the step up from National League South side Whitehawk.
The 22-year-old right-back, who can also play further up the pitch, helped the Hawks into the play-offs twice during his 18-month spell at the Enclosed Ground.
Arnold, a former Reading youngster, made 33 appearances in League Two for Wycombe Wanderers in 2013-14 before being released by the Royals.
Following two appearances with Woking at the start of the 2014-15 campaign, he signed for Whitehawk in October 2014 and made 83 appearances for the Hawks, scoring five times.
Arnold follows former Woking striker Scott Rendell to the EBB Stadium as boss Gary Waddock continues to bolster his squad ahead of the new National League season.
“Aldershot has a huge fanbase and is, in my opinion, too low down in the leagues, so I want to help Gary try to move back up into the Football League,” Arnold told the Shots’ website.
“Gary sold the club to me, I‘ve got a lot of respect for him and I can’t wait to get started. The people I’ve spoken to have never had a bad word to say about him – his training, his work ethic, his ambition to make players better, that’s exactly what I want to be part of.
“I still believe that I’m young enough and hungry enough (to return to the Football League) so why not do it together? I’m full of confidence after a good 18 months at Whitehawk – we had a lot of success, and I’m hoping to have more success here.
“I’ve got good pace, my crossing from deep is good, and I can adapt anywhere down the right-hand side. I’m happy with my versatility but if I had to pick I’d probably choose right-back. Gary’s style of play suits me perfectly, I love to pass the ball, attack and score goals – but I love to keep clean sheets too!”
Meanwhile, Waddock has appointed former West Ham United Academy coach and UEFA A Licence holder James Rowe as his assistant manager.
