HARROGATE TOWN have added a fresh defensive option to their ranks after bringing in full-back Toby Sims on a six-month deal following a successful trial.

Worksop-born Sims, 25, has extensive experience in the States with the likes of Greenville FC, South Carolina United and most recently Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

He is the club's first signing of the January window.

Sims, who played with Northern Premier League side Mickleover Sports before moving to the US to play college soccer, said: “I am really pleased to be here. I have been around the place for a while and I can see that it is a great club. There is a good changing room here and they have been great with me and I am really excited to get going.

Toby Sims. Picture courtesy of Harrogate Town AFC.

“I have seen the results recently and watched how we play. I really like the style of play we have, for me it’s about hopefully breaking in to the team and helping the team in whatever way I can."

On his new recruit, Simon Weaver said: “Toby has applied himself brilliantly in training, he has been with us for the last few weeks and has shown everything that we like to see in players who come here.

“He is a competitor and likes to get stuck in and has shown he is a great professional.

"At 25, he has a point to prove over here after spending a lot of time abroad. He has signed until the end of the season and that gives us an opportunity to have a look at him between now and then.”

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