Nationwide North club Redditch United have re-signed former striker Norman Sylla and have secured the services of defender Simon Rea.

Nationwide North club Redditch United have re-signed former striker Norman Sylla and have secured the services of defender Simon Rea.

Sylla previously featured in Redditch's promotion winning squad but decided to make a switch to Greece with Second Division side Ethnikos Acharniakos soon after.

Rea is a commanding centre back and began his career at Birmingham City before going on to make over 150 appearances in the Football League with Peterborough United.

"Norman was the second highest goalscorer in the league two seasons ago, and he didn't start playing until two months into the campaign," said manager Gary Whild.

"He managed to score twenty-five goals that year, and he's one of the fan's favourites, so hopefully with him in the squad, and Richard Softley and Chris Murphy returning from injury, we will have a good run.

"Everyone knows goals win matches, and if you have someone like Sylla scoring regularly, it can cover up deficiencies.

"Of course you want to stay tight at the back as well, but we were doing that towards the end of the season, so it wouldn't surprise me if we were up there competing for honours this year."