Graeme Lee has completed his first signing of the summer after defender Dan Rowe put pen to paper on a deal at The Brewery Field following his departure from Whitby Town.

The dominant centre-back has become a firm favourite with Whitby fans over the last five years having joined them from Frickley Athletic in 2019.

Since then, he’s gone to become the Club Captain at The Turnbull Ground and led the team out during their memorable FA Cup First Round tie at Bristol Rovers last term as well as lifting the North Riding Senior Cup.

As well as a solid presence at the back, Rowe has also become renowned for his influence at the other end of the pitch, and he scored an impressive 20 goals in his 201 appearances for The Seasiders.

The 28-year-old originally came through the ranks at Rotherham United and went on to play in the Football League for Wycombe Wanderers for whom he signed permanently in 2015 after a series of successful loan stints at Adams Park.

After spending time on loan with Barrow, Stockton-born Rowe returned closer to home when he signed for York City in the summer of 2017 before moving on to Frickley the following year.

“Dan is a player we’ve had our eyes on for some time,” admitted Moors boss Lee.

“He’s a very powerful and committed defender who will lead by example on and off the pitch, and he brings good experience to an area where we obviously need to strengthen this summer.

“He’s played at this level and above in the past, but I think we’re getting him at the perfect time in his career now for him to really show what he’s capable of.

“We’re really pleased to get the deal done so quickly because I know there were other teams looking at him and it’s a good start for us in terms of the business we’re looking to get done over the next month or so.”