Hinckley AFC have completed the signing of Drew Kear, who re-joins from Rugby Town, but Charlie Swingwood has departed.
Kear, a right-back who is equally capable of playing further forward, played 36 times for the club in his previous spell between 2020 and 2022.
He was part of the side that reached the United Counties League Division One play-off final, scoring three goals that season, before departing for Rugby.
He has spent the intervening year and a half with Valley, helping them to promotion to step four, but has now re-joined Hinckley.
Joint boss Joe Conneely said: “We needed to get a bit of cover and it’s worked out well to get someone who’s been here before and loves the club.
“It was a simple conversation and he was happy to come back and try and help us over the line. Drew is another player who won a league last season so adds knowledge of how to get things done.
“He allows us to play completely different shapes and moves people round. He can play as a winger, wing back or full back. He’s rapid quick and adds a different dimension for us so it was a no brainer.”
Meanwhile, Charlie Swingwood has departed the club after struggling with the travel while Jack Beasley will also leave later this month to travel the world.
Conneely said: “It leaves us a bit light at the back but we’ve hopefully got one defender sorted who we’re quite close to completing.
“We need to get one in, but Courtney is in the process of getting one done. Tom Weale can drop in there which helps, and others can narrow in and play different shapes if needed.”
Welcome back, Drew – and good luck, Charlie!
