Graeme Lee has added some extra depth to his attacking options ahead of the big kick-off this weekend after completing a deal to sign experienced forward JJ Hooper.

The 30-year-old has spent time on trial with Moors during pre-season and featured from the bench in last weekend’s 3-3 friendly draw against York City.

A graduate of Newcastle United’s Academy, Greenwich-born Hooper went on to make his Football League debut for Northampton Town in 2013.

After a productive spell in the colours of Havant & Waterlooville, the front man returned to the EFL with Port Vale in 2015 where he spent two years before joining Grimsby Town.

In 2019 Wrexham won the race for his signature and he had fired seven goals in 22 appearances before the campaign was suspended to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hooper reemerged as a Barnet player the following year and he helped himself to eight goals for The Bees during 2020/21 before he returned to the North East to sign for South Shields.

The attacker hit the net 12 times in 21 league games to help Kevin Phillips’ men to secure a place in the Northern Premier League play-offs in 2021/22 and then stepped up to National League North with Gloucester City in January 2023.

Comfortable in a central striking role or out wide, Hooper has most recently been on the books at Blyth Spartans where he scored 11 goals in their final 25 league games last term.

“JJ has been in training with us and has impressed us,” explained Moors boss Lee.

“He’s a proven goalscorer at this level and above so now it’s our job to give him the platform to produce that form consistently for us.

“I think we needed some extra firepower up top so we’ve been looking to bring someone else in for that area and JJ gives us that different kind of option, so I am pleased to get him signed-up.”

Hooper has been handed squad number 17 and he is eligible to make his competitive Moors debut in Saturday’s season opener against Chester at The Brewery Field.