Luke George has been tasked with being the team’s enforcer and the 22-year-old Liverpudlian can’t wait to show Chester FC supporters what he’s about.
He arrives from Southport with a reputation as a fierce competitor, and hard-running, tough-tackling midfielder, something the Blues have lacked.
Steve Burr recognised the need to address that and wants George to be a commanding presence in the middle of the park for his team.
“That’s exactly what was said in the meeting; he told me what he expected of me and what he’s seen in me and told me what he wants me to be as a finished product,” said George, who rejected a new deal at Southport and offers from other National League clubs.
“He wants to bring me on, he wants to help me so that’s obviously another thing I’m looking forward to.
“He does like to play football, he is attack-minded and I do think that will suit me to help the other lads out as much as I can to fill those gaps, spot that danger and sure it up a little bit.
“I was speaking to a few different clubs at the time towards the end of the season. Southport wanted me to stay which was a difficult decision for me after two great years because they’d looked after me and I’ve got to say thank you for everything they’ve done for me.
“But my decision was pretty easy really once I had a brief chat with Steve and saw what the club was all about and Chester is the place for me now.”
George spent nine years in the academy at Crewe Alexandra but was released at the end of the 2010-11 season without making a first-team appearance.
He moved to Stafford Rangers where he lined up against Chester on two occasions, being sent-off in the first after clashing with Chris Simm.
His performances as a defender earned him a move to Southport in summer 2013 and he was switched into midfield, where his game has excelled.
He scored six times in 85 games for the Sandgrounders, was named Conference Player of the Year at the 2014 Northwest Football Awards and earned a call-up to the England C squad.
Having settled on Chester as the next stage of his career, George has signed an initial 12-month deal and will start pre-season with the rest of the squad on Monday.
“I had two good years at Southport and I’ve made some friends for life there and hopefully it will be the same here at Chester when I get to know the lads and we get that team spirit going,” said George.
“There are a few familiar faces from around my area with Johnny Hunt signing and there’s a couple of scousers in the mix already with John Rooney and Ryan Higgins
"I know a few of other lads briefly from being on the park with them, I know what they are about and what they can do and now it’s just about getting my head down for the season and I can’t wait to get started.”
