BALTI Sports’ manager Marco Nott revealed the addition of experienced centre-back Aston Butcher has ended a long pursuit of his signature.

Butcher enjoyed previous spells at Portland United and Bridport plus the now defunct reserve teams at Weymouth and Dorchester.

He joins Weymouth-based Balti ahead of the new Jewson Dorset Premier League season on Saturday.

Butcher has even taken the captain’s armband for a handful of games in pre-season, showing why Nott has chased him for so long.

“I’ve actually been after him for a long time, probably three or four years,” he told Echosport.

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“He’s been at Portland and his last club was Bridport. That didn’t go to plan with results and stuff so he stopped playing for a couple of years.

“I thought it was a good chance to ask him again and just see if I can get him in for a friendly or training and see how he gets on.

“He’s really enjoyed it. He’s actually taken the armband in a couple of friendlies and he’s a real leader in the team already.

“For someone who’s just come in, not knowing many people, he’s really taken control.

“I really like his leadership abilities but he’s a solid centre-back and very experienced in our league.

“It’s the right position to strengthen this season, so it’s a big signing.”

With Balti’s rivals having strengthened considerably in what is a fast-improving league, Nott admitted he is keen to keep up.

He said: “Every club, even around us at Dorch Sports and all that, they’re strengthening every year.

“We’ve got four in this year and hopefully not lost any. Hopefully we’ll be strong, we had a strong finish to last season so we can build on that and start the season strongly.”

Balti are also set to welcome back centre-back Lloyd Beals to their ranks.

Balti begin the 2022/23 league campaign with a home clash against Wareham Rangers at Weymouth College on Saturday (3pm).

Four days later they are in action at Portland United Reserves for their first derby of the season and then host Holt United to complete a triple bill for the opening week.