THE signings are starting to come thick and fast for Warrington Town.

They have now secured their fifth new addition of the summer in the shape of central midfielder Matty McDonald.

The 18-year-old, who started Saturday’s 1-0 friendly defeat to Tranmere Rovers as a trialist, joins having been released by Crewe Alexandra.

Prior to joining the Railwaymen, McDonald started his youth career with Premier League side Everton.

Now, Yellows boss Paul Carden is excited to see what he can do in men’s football having been highly impressed with what he has seen thus far.

“Matty is a real talent and has a really good pedigree,” he said.

“I spoke to people at Crewe about him and there was some shock that he wasn’t kept on – he was probably a victim of circumstance there as much as anything else.

“He made a surging run forward at the weekend and if we can get someone in alongside him who can give him that license to do that, that’s what I want him to do.

“He’s a powerful lad, his awareness is very good and if you watch him over a number of games, you wouldn’t believe he was 18 with the intelligence he plays with and his physical stature.

“That excites me and what also excites me is that he’s come to us just wanting to play football.

“That’s what you want – he’s hungry and wants to kick on and have a career.”

News of McDonald’s signing comes hot on the heels of goalkeeper Dan Atherton’s arrival, which was confirmed yesterday.

Midfielder Mark Waddington and forwards Dom Reid and Sean Miller had already been signed ahead of the 2021-22 Northern Premier League season.

Apart from his on-field attributes, Carden has been impressed by something else about his newest addition.

“He’s studying to be an accountant because he knows the potential pitfalls of a career in football,” he said of McDonald.

“But if he keeps doing what he’s been doing in the short time he’s been with us he will be able to shelve his day job for a while.

“I think he’ll be moving back up the levels to where he’s been.”