Veteran goalkeeper Jose Veiga will not be returning to Worcester City

The 38-year-old Cape Verde international, who made 32 appearances for City in two years, was out of contract at the Vanarama National League North club.

City joint-manager Carl Heeley said Tamworth-based Veiga, who was Nathan Vaughan’s understudy last term, had received an offer from another club.

“We are pleased with the players we have got and the players we have signed and I am sure there will be more additions to the squad,” said Heeley.

“The boys have come back and look very fit and there are still five or five who are still away and have not yet been to training. But Jose Veiga has decided not to come back.

“He’s got an offer from another club, although he didn’t say which club it is.

“We will now look elsewhere for a goalkeeper. We have a few options and we will look at those.”

City begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly at Bishop’s Cleeve on Saturday (3pm) and captain Ellis Deeney has committed his future to the club by signing a new one-year deal.

Heeley said: “Ellis pledging his future to us is good news.

“To be fair to Ellis he was honest with us and said that he wanted to keep his options open to see what full-time offers may be available to him.

“He’s not prepared to go out on trial everywhere. He knows Matt Gardiner and I very well and if something comes up, he knows we will keep him posted as we have done to others.

“There were no offers for him to my knowledge - there was no contact with the club.

“We are a National North club and we are part-time and we realise people have aspirations to better themselves.

“If they doing well and if something better comes up at a higher-graded club, we are not going to prevent them. Of course, it’s also doing what’s best for the club.

“A good example of this is George Williams, who showed his ability with us and moved into full-time football with Barnsley.”