LEON Kelly has become Worcester City's long-awaited first summer signing.

The 25-year-old striker signed for an undisclosed four-figure fee from Ilkeston Town last night.

Manager John Barton is delighted to have got his man following protracted negotiations, and is confident he will boost City's firepower.

Barton, who had been thwarted in several attempts to bolster his squad since the end of last season, said: "I am obviously delighted to have made our first signing. It has been a difficult summer in terms of bringing players in.

"Leon is a player I have been aware of for a long time, but we were only alerted to his availability three weeks ago and matters have been quite complex since then.

"He is a proven goalscorer, notching 21 goals last season for a side that were relegated. He will bring pace and power to the side."

Kelly joined Ilkeston last summer from Cambridge United, where he made two Football League appearances in two seasons.

Kelly was previously at Atherstone United and also had loan spells with Nuneaton Borough, Dover Athletic and Stalybridge Celtic during his spell at Cambridge.

He is unavailable for City's trip to Belgium this weekend due to work commitments and the delay in the completion of the signing. Kelly is expected to make his City debut in next Wednesday's home friendly with First Division Coventry City.

Barton is still confident of more new signings before the season starts. "We are still hopeful that we can bring in at least one or maybe two more faces before August 16.

"But they have to be of the right quality -- we will not bring in players that will not improve on what we have already got."