Mildenhall Town sign former Royston Town, Newmarket Town and Soham Town Rangers player Tom Newman

Tom Newman has become Mildenhall Town’s fifth signing of the summer ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup tie at Soham Town Rangers.

The attacker has arrived at The Riverside Stadium with a wealth of higher-level experience, having spent several seasons at Step 3 outfit Royston Town.

The 24-year-old, who has also turned out for Soham and Newmarket Town, ended the previous campaign on the books of Berkhamsted.

Newman has spent much of pre-season training with AFC Sudbury, but after a move to Marc Abbott’s side failed to materialise, Mildenhall boss Phi Weavers swooped in.

Weavers, who confirmed the addition of four new players last week, said: “Naturally you are always looking to add genuine quality to your squad. We were fairly settled with what we had going into the FA Cup and league games coming up but once we became aware Tom may be available it was a complete no brainer for us.

“Tom has spent pre-season with Sudbury, a club and a manager we have good relations with, and after speaking with Abbo it became even more apparent as he had nothing but good things to say.

“Twenty-four-years-old, playing Step 3 football for the last three or four years – it’s the profile of player we are looking to bring in and it’s come at a nice time as we are yet to get up and running competitively.

“Tom is an ambitious lad who wants to achieve in his football. We actually spoke last season briefly but the timing wasn’t right for him at that point. Him coming in at this stage will give everyone around the club a lift and the challenge for him will be to come in, maintain his levels and become a leader for us on and off the pitch.”

After taking on Soham this weekend, newly-promoted Mildenhall will begin their Pitching In Isthmian League North Division campaign on August 10 with the visit of Grays Athletic.