Chester FC have completed their first close-season signing with midfielder Tom Shaw moving to the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.
Shaw, who has spent the past two seasons with Alfreton Town, is no stranger to manager Steve Burr, who signed him for Kidderminster Harriers five years ago and the pair worked together when the 28-year-old was called up to England C squad while at Tamworth.
Shaw has signed a two-year deal with the Blues and The Chronicle understands the club hope to confirm at least one more signing this week with an experienced centre-back and a striker the targets.
Career history
Shaw was with Nottingham Forest as a youngster before making the grade at Rushden & Diamonds, then in the Football League.
Following loan spells at Rugby Town and Nuneaton Borough, he became a regular at Nene Park but left for Mansfield Town in summer 2008.
Shaw switched to Tamworth a couple of months later, helping them gain promotion from the Conference North. His performances for the Lambs earned him England C recognition.
Burr swooped to bring him to Kidderminster Harriers in June 2010 on a one-year deal, scoring five times in 43 games at Aggborough
Shaw rejected a new deal in favour of a move to Cambridge United in May 2011 and spent two seasons at Abbey Stadium, netting 13 goals in 79 appearances.
He moved to Alfreton on a two-year deal in July 2013 and was a near ever-present for the Reds. Last season, he featured 48 times and was the club's second highest scorer with 10 goals.
Off the field, Shaw is completing the Uefa A Licence qualification and has coached the men's football team at Nottingham Trent University.
What can Blues fans expect?
Although most comfortable in central midfield, Shaw's ability to cover a number of positions makes him valuable asset in what will be a small squad.
He can operate out wide or off the front, and has even been used as a full-back in the past.
Shaw's main strengths are his workrate, quality in possession and his ability to push into forward areas, but he can also mix his game up and has a good goal return.
Chester are well aware of the danger he can pose as he scored in both meetings with them last season.
Shaw gave Alfreton the lead in the home game in October 2014 before replies from Matty Hughes and Craig Mahon secured a 2-1 win for the Blues.
In the return fixture in March, Shaw smashed an unstoppable shot past his former Reds team-mate Jon Worsnop to open the scoring, although Ben Heneghan's late header ensured the game finished 1-1.
WATCH: Tom Shaw's stunning goal for Alfreton Town against Chester FC from 45 seconds in
Alfreton's club historian Bill Draper, who has watched 1,487 consecutive games, told The Chronicle he believes Shaw will prove a shrewd addition.
He said: "Tom was one of our better players last season and he will be very much missed
"He was used in the middle for Alfreton and he's a tenacious midfielder who gets his fair share of goals. He's one of those players who always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
"For a large part of last season he was our leading scorer, although that's not saying much as our top scorer only got 10 in the league.
"It's a shame from our perspective because of our four core players from last season, three of them have left now.
"But it's a good deal for the player and you have got to respect his decision so good luck to him at Chester."
