Rangers set to sign Jermaine Johnson

Stafford Rangers are set to sign Jermaine Johnson to a one-year contract this week after the defender's triumphant return to the team at Hednesford.

Last season's loan star netted the winner that won the Cannock Chase pre-season cup on Saturday, with Rangers edging out the home side 3-2 to add to their one-goal cushion in the first leg at home the previous week.

And Johnson has today confirmed that he expects to sign a contract this week to keep him at Marston Road for the year ahead, after being released from Championship club Derby County at the end of last season.

A permanent move to Rangers will be Johnson's first full-time foray into the semi-professional game, with the centre-half planning to take up coaching as a day job to supplement his income.

The former Chelsea youngster lives in Birmingham at the moment but also had the chance to move abroad this summer, having been offered a one-year contract at Belgian fourth division club Royal Racing Montegnee after a successful trial, also spending time as a free agent at Football League club Bury.

But Johnson has decided Rangers is where he wants to play next season.

He said: "I am just looking to enjoy my football again and a season here will give me some experience. I plan to sign with Rangers and it looks like it's going to be this week.

"At this time in my career I need to be playing in the first-team, I haven't played a full season at that standard, so it will be new to me but I am looking forward to the challenge.

"The Blue Square North is a lot different than academy and reserve football, it's a lot more competitive and the standard is a lot better than I expected."