Hyde United have added former Stoke City youngster Ben Kershaw to their squad ahead of the new season.
Despite featuring on the bench in the Championship, he never made a first team appearance for the club, and the Potters released the 20-year-old in May.
The industrious midfielder started his career in Rochdale’s academy before earning a move to Stoke in 2022, where he played 24 times in the Premier League 2.
He trialled at National League side Altrincham earlier in the summer, before impressing Hyde boss Nick Spooner in recent friendlies.
On signing, Kershaw told the club’s YouTube channel: “I did two years at Stoke, but I need to get into men’s football now and get some minutes under my belt, and this is the perfect place to do it.
“It’s a young dressing room, but it’s a good dressing room. The lads are brilliant, the banter’s always flying and it’s a perfect environment.”
In other Hyde United news, young defender Darrin Enahoro-Marcus has joined Abbey Hey on dual registration.
“We think a lot of Darrin, but he’s not really played any men’s football yet,” said Tigers boss Nick Spooner. “So, with the North West Counties League starting last weekend, we feel him joining him Abbey Hey will benefit us as it will get him vital experience.”
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