REDDITCH United have snapped up former Wales youth international and national Taekwondo champion Theo Llewellyn, who has committed himself to the club for the 2020/21 season.
Llewellyn, who started his career with Championship side Bristol City, was capped by Wales at U15, U16 and U17 levels and won the 2014 Victory Shield.
After being leaving Ashton Gate in 2018, he went on to have spells with Gloucester City, Yate Town and more recently Alvechurch after moving to Birmingham for university, before a chat with Reds boss Wayne Spicer at the Trico led to the young midfielder committing himself to wearing red and black.
Spicer is delighted with his new signing and said: “Again, if you look at some of our other signings, we’re going for some fantastic young players who can really compete at the level.
“Theo has really impressed in training the last few weeks and we are looking forward to bringing the lad in and giving him a real platform to perform.”
Llewellyn added: “I am really happy to be signing for Redditch and I’m buzzing to start the season. I feel like I’ve got a lot to prove to myself and to other people around me and I really can’t wait to get started.”
The move follows the news midfielder Tom Rankin has agreed to extend his stay at the Trico for another season.
Rankin impressed during training with his new team-mates and was keen to continue playing for the club.
The 24-year-old holding midfielder joined the club last season from local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting, where he had spent the previous three campaigns.
Rankin said: “Obviously last season didn’t go the way anyone would have really wanted, but this year with the new manager, new coaches and continued development of the club off the field, I am hoping for a far better run.
“There’s plenty of new faces around the club and I really think we can push on and surprise a few people.”
The Reds have also recruited 17-year-old forward Dylan Hadley, who began his career at West Bromwich Albion before a move to league rivals Alvechurch where he was a stand-out player at 15 in their U18s set-up.
He will begin training with the first team, whilst also getting minutes in the U21s side and in the club’s Football Education Programme.
Another new face is midfielder Jake Heath who has committed to the club for the upcoming season.
Heath, a 25-year-old central midfielder, began his career at Walsall from where he was sent out on loan to Leamington for the 2013/14 season as a first-year scholar, before joining Hednesford in 2015.
Following his time with the Pitmen, he had spells at Stourbridge and Stafford Rangers before joining Barwell in 2017.
In 2018, he joined Bromsgrove Sporting where he made 14 appearances and scored twice before a return to Barwell.
