WORCESTER City have signed highly-rated defender Rapinder Gill from Bromsgrove Rovers.

The 20-year-old has agreed a two-year contract at St George's Lane after impressing in his three-month spell at Rovers.

But, as part of the deal, Gill will be loaned back to the Victoria Ground club for the rest of this campaign.

City boss Andy Preece has moved to land the player as part of his plans for next season.

The promising prospect has also been tracked by Nationwide North promotion-chasers Kettering Town and turned down an offer from Unibond Premier League leaders AFC Telford United.

Rod Brown, Gill's manager at Bromsgrove Rovers, signed him from fellow Southern League Midlands side Willen-hall Town at the turn of the year and believes he has a bright future.

He said: "I have been in the game 14 years as a manager and I think he's one of the best I have worked with.

"At the end of the season, had he not done the deal, he would have had the pick of the clubs because he's streets ahead of where we are. Telford offered him a big deal and Kettering showed an interest.

"He's not the best header of the ball but I signed him from Willenhall and he can go higher. He's only just turned 20."

Brown has compared him to St George's Lane favourite and current Rovers player Paul Carty, who has been on the sidelines with a broken leg since the end of last year.

The Rovers boss also sees similarities between the defender and current City captain Des Lyttle.

Former Redditch United boss Brown added: "He's very slim and very quick but a tremendous ball player."

Gill joined Willenhall from Tipton Town following spells at Sutton Coldfield Town and Smethwick.

Meanwhile, City's reserves host Nuneaton Borough in the Central Conference League Cup tonight (7.45).

Players expected to feature include James Coates, Danny Hodnett, Dale Watkins, Tom Warmer and Shaun Findlay.