Harrogate Town are delighted to announce the signing of right-back Lewis Payne.
The 22-year-old becomes Town’s sixth signing of the summer and joins after spending last season at Morecambe.
The former Southampton academy prospect said:
“I’m obviously buzzing for it to be done and excited to go on,”
“I’m an attack-minded full-back or wing-back. I like to get forward, I like to create stuff, I like to score, I like to assist. And obviously, I enjoy the defensive part as well.”
Lewis, who has enjoyed loan stints at Eastleigh, Newport County and Cheltenham, arrives at the Marcy Fitness Stadium having made more than 100 senior appearances and is keen to kick on at Town.
“I think you always want to be part of a project, especially a club that wants to be going in the right direction, because that’s what I want to be doing as well. So it’s definitely nice to find a new home and get going.
“I want to score, I want to assist, I want to bring my game to the team and make a big impact.”
Lewis netted four goals and laid on five assists last year at Morecambe, with Town boss Simon Weaver delighted to bring him into the club.
On the signing, Simon said:
“We’ve chased Lewis Payne the whole summer,”
“He’s a right-sider that we feel can add quality and expertise in a specialist position. Lloyd and I watched a lot of his coverage straight after the end of the season because we knew which way we wanted to play.
“He’s been schooled well, like Kayne Ramsey was, at the same place. He was 17 years of age when he first captained Southampton U21s and he’s a model pro.
“He’ll bring that little bit of expertise in terms of right-footed delivery from wide areas, where he can gain a yard and put in a really whipped-in cross. I think to be honest, we’ve missed that, and with him high up on the right-hand side we can visualise a good return of assists and even attack the far post as well when the ball’s on the opposite flank.
“We’re looking forward to him really embracing the club.”
Lewis will wear the number 2 shirt at Town.
Funding available for communities as Tour of Britain route announced
Work begins to protect Knaresborough Castle's historic walls
Harrogate declares vote of 'no confidence' in North Yorkshire Council
Hundreds honour loved ones through St Michael's Hospice appeal
Harrogate site manager wins prestigious national building award
Masham primary schools earns prestigious Gold award for outdoor play
Harrogate girl signs for Manchester United academy
Harrogate Town fan favourite pens new deal
Yorktoberfest to return 'bigger than ever' this autumn
St Aidan's pupils to represent region at athletics championships
Harrogate charity rescues kitten found 'alone in a garage'
Charity car show aims to give Ukrainian children a week away from war
Ripon schoolchildren invited to design city's Christmas lights
First dedicated youth basketball club to launch in Harrogate
Calls for share of £1.4 million fund to be spent on Knaresborough High Street
New interior design shop set to open in Harrogate
North Yorkshire Council trials new pothole prevention treatment
Officers honoured for bravery after Harrogate railway crash
North's biggest classic car show set to roll into Ripon
New Specsavers hearing clinic to open in Knaresborough
