Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley have moved to bolster their defensive options by completing the signing of former Sunderland centre-back Michael Ledger.

The 25-year-old has spent time training with Moors during pre-season and has now done enough to impress the Club’s management and clinch a deal for 2022/23.

Ledger came through the ranks at the Stadium of Light having been on the books of The Black Cats from the age of seven, going on to captain the club’s Under-18s and earning a professional contract.

The Consett-born defender gained senior experience with a loan spell at Norwegian outfit Viking in 2017, whilst he also made a temporary move to Hartlepool United where he played 11 times in the National League.

In March 2018, the dominant centre-back made a permanent switch to Norway when he signed a two-year deal with Notodden FK.

However, Ledger returned to the UK at the start of 2020 when he agreed a switch to Queen of the South before moving on to Greenock Morton where he became a regular.

“Even though he’s only 25 you can say Michael is an experienced defender in terms of games he’s played and the level he’s played at,” said boss Johnson.

“He’s played over 50 games in the Scottish Championship over the last couple of years and he’s certainly looked the part when he’s been in training with us in recent weeks.

“He’s very composed on the ball, he brings that versatility we’ve talked about wanting in the squad and he’s a local lad from Durham so he should fit in really well with the rest of the lads.”

Ledger will now go straight into contention for a Moors debut in this afternoon’s National League North fixture at Leamington.