BRAKES boss Paul Holleran has further bolstered his attacking options for the 2016/17 with the signing of pacy frontman Ahmed Obeng.
The 24-year-old has move to The Phillips 66 Community Stadium from Stafford Rangers after helping them to the Northern Premier League Division One South title on the final day of the season.
Born in Ghana, Obeng moved to England with his family as a youngster and was spotted by Rushall Olympic while playing for now the defunct Bloxwich United in the West Midlands League.
He signed for the Northern Premier League Pics in the summer of 2010, helping them to promotion to the Premier Division in his first season before spending four seasons at Dales Lane, making over 180 appearances and scoring 56 goals.
Obeng’s form caught the attention of Kidderminster Harriers who paid an undisclosed fee to Rushall for his services, offering the striker an opportunity to step into full-time football two years ago.
After a season in the National League he joined Hednesford Town last summer before linking up with Stafford towards the end of the campaign.
“Ahmed is someone who burst onto the scene a few years ago and caught everybody’s eye,” said Holleran.
“He’s had a little knock at full-time football, and perhaps last year didn’t go as he would have liked, but he is full of energy, full of pace and is desperate to do well and get back to scoring goals regularly like he was a couple of seasons ago.
“I’ve got no doubt in my mind that in our environment he will be a big part of what we are trying to do next season. With him and Robbie (Thompson-Brown) now we’ve got two players that can really get in behind teams and that’s something that we’ve been looking for.
“Obviously I was aware that Ahmed was available, we’ve been nibbling away for a few weeks now and have been able to come to an agreement. He is looking forward to the challenge and we are looking forward to having him here.”
The Brakes have also been boosted by thge news that first team regulars James Mace, Ben George and Ross Oulton as well as Rob Elvins will be returning next season.
Mace has made over 220 appearances for Brakes now since being snapped up by Holleran in 2011 after initially joining the club on trial. The versatile defender will be aiming to push towards 300 as he resumes his central defensive partnership with Jamie Hood.
Fellow defender George, who made 43 appearances in his debut season after joining from Rugby Town last summer, has also committed his future to Leamington after playing his part in helping Brakes to one of the best defensive records in the division.
Oulton also made over 40 appearances for the club after arriving last summer and made an impact coming off the bench in many games, not least at Paulton Rovers where he scored a spectacular late equaliser.
Also linking up with the club for pre-season is Elvins, who made five substitute appearances for Leamington last season after joining initially as cover in the final month of last season.
One player who will not be returning is Callum Gittings, who has left Solihull Moors to join Telford.
