PAUL Carden had identified the need for a new goalkeeper as key for Warrington Town this summer – and now he has one.

Daniel Atherton – formerly of Liverpool – has signed on the dotted line to spend the coming season at Cantilever Park.

The 21-year-old featured as a trialist during Yellows' 1-0 pre-season loss to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday, coming close to saving the penalty scored by Mani Dieseruvwe that separated the two sides.

He also spent time on trial with Carden's side prior to last season before spending the season playing in America with FC Malaga City, and the Yellows boss admits Atherton was his priority target between the sticks.

"He was our number one target, to be honest," he said.

"I’ve spoke to numerous goalkeepers in the period of time since we’ve needed one, and we’ve always come back to Dan.

"He’s been out of the country for a while – he’s been in America and was in Spain before that – but once I knew he was coming back, he was the one I wanted all along.

"There were others standing out but he was always in the back of my head. I’m glad he’s come back and I’m glad he’s signed."

Having progressed through the ranks at Anfield, Atherton's first taste of senior football was a loan spell with Marine during the 2019-20 season.

"A lot of people nowadays want 6ft2 or 6ft3 goalkeepers but we’ve never been like that with the keepers we’ve brought in," Carden said.

"Tony Mac (Tony McMillan) wasn’t the biggest, Luke Pilling wasn’t the biggest and obviously we went the other way with the likes Bobby (Jones) and Charlie (Albinson).

"I’ve had agents on asking me what type of goalkeeper I want and the answer is always “a good one.” Dan certainly ticks the boxes when it comes to that."

Atherton is Town's fourth confirmed signing ahead of the 2021-22 season, joining midfielder Mark Waddington and forwards Dom Reid and Sean Miller.