Graeme Lee has further strengthened his squad ahead of the new campaign after agreeing a deal to sign experienced defender Nathan McGinley on a permanent contract for 2024/25.

The 27-year-old centre-back has returned to his native North East this summer after a spell playing in Scotland and has featured for Moors in all three of their pre-season friendlies.

Middlesbrough-born McGinley originally came through the ranks at his hometown club and signed professional terms at The Riverside Stadium in the summer of 2015.

The 6ft 3ins defender continued to make good progress and he was rewarded with his senior debut for The Teessiders in a 3-3 draw with Notts County in the EFL Cup in 2018.

McGinley gained further First Team experience during loan spells at Wycombe Wanderers and Forest Green Rovers later that season and subsequently join the latter permanently in January 2019.

He went on to become a regular for the Gloucestershire outfit over the next 18 months and his performances earned him a move to the Scottish Premiership with Motherwell in the summer of 2020.

The impact of COVID-19 on football interrupted his progress but he still went on to make almost 50 appearances for The Steelmen over the next four years before moving on to Ayr United for the second half of 2023/24.

“I have known Nathan since his days at Middlesbrough and he’s gone on to have a fantastic career in League One, League Two and the top flight in Scotland,” said Lee.

“It’s daft really but I was walking my dog back in early May thinking about players who I have worked with in the past and who could do a job for us – and Nathan popped into my head.

“I rang him and he had literally just come out of contract in Scotland and he was looking to move back home so I stayed in touch with him even though I knew he was looking for a full-time club.

“I offered him the opportunity to come and train with us while he was looking, knowing that he would be impressed by the standard once he got in – so to get him signed-up is a massive addition for us.”

McGinley has been handed squad number 19 and his move to The Brewery Field is subject to the usual approval from the National League and FA as well as international clearance.