Kidderminster Harriers sign ex-West Brom player Jared Hodgkiss

The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a one-year deal at Aggborough after leaving Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season.

Stafford-born Hodgkiss was a schoolboy at Wolves and before switching to Albion. He made 15 appearances for the Baggies and had loan spells at Aberdeen and Northampton before moving to Forest Green in 2009, going on to make 170 appearances for the New Lawn outfit including several as skipper.

Established as one of the Conference's strongest full-backs, Hodgkiss can play both on the right and the left.

"We're delighted to get him on board," said Harriers boss Gary Whild.

"It's no secret that with the departures of Lee Vaughan and Mickey Demetriou we needed to get somebody in and with his experience and he definitely fits the bill.

"He can play at left-back and right-back and he's a local lad as well so it is great to get him.

"It's always a benefit if a lad can play in a number of positions. It was important we got the right person and I think that person is Jared."

Hodgkiss revealed he had several options after choosing to leave Forest Green but said the chance to work with Whild was a big factor in his decision.

"The manager was a big thing for me," he said. "I had spoken to quite a few players who have been with him and they had nothing but good things to say.

"The location helps, full-time football helps but the main thing was the manager."

He added: "I had a good four or five years at Forest Green but it is good to be back nearer home and I'm looking forward to it."