United have bolstered their squad further today with the signing of Aldershot midfielder Lewis Chalmers.
The central midfielder has joined the U's on loan until the end of the season and will push for a place in the squad as the team take on Hayes & Yeading on Tuesday night.
Chalmers - a former Manchester City youth team player - started his professional career at Altrincham during the 2004/2005 season and went on to make 73 appearances for the Cheshire outfit, scoring 6 times and becoming an ever-present for the Blue Square Premier side.
His performances earned him a move to Aldershot in June 2007 where he became an important figure in the Shots' Conference and Setanta Shield winning squad, making 99 appearances in both the Blue Square and Coca Cola divisions and scoring 4 goals. A brief loan spell at Crawley Town in January 2009 ended with him making a further four Blue Square Premier appearances.
Capped 10 times by the England C squad during his time outside of the Football League, Chairman Kelvin Thomas is delighted to have secured the 24-year-old's services.
Says Kelvin:
"This is a very important time for the football club. We have kept a very tight squad all season, and while others have squads of 25-30 plus, we have always been in and around the 20-21 mark. This has given us the flexibility to use the loan system when we have injuries, and at this club we have a tremendous amount of Football League experience within our coaching staff and also with Jim Smith our contact base is very good, which has allowed us to find the right players at the right prices.
"With Lee Fowler moving on and us picking up injuries this week, it is a good time to strengthen and find cover, and it also keeps our squad number tight. This group of players seem to have the bit between their teeth now and they have shown they are prepared to work hard, and I have been very impressed with the togetherness and desire that is here right now.
"To be able to add a player like Lewis at this stage of the season to our squad is great, as Lewis has been there and seen what we expect to see in this last set of games. It is going right to the wire and we have to ensure that we have a squad that can compete in what are all going to be big games."
Lewis told us:
"I have been really impressed with what Chris Wilder is building here. I know six or seven of the lads already and they have all told me the same thing; that the manager will get the best out of you and you will want to run through walls for him. It's a big club and this is a big opportunity so I can't wait to be part of the squad here."
See Lewis's first video interview exclusively in Yellow Player right now.
At the same time midfielder Lee Fowler has left the club at his own request due to a lack of first team opportunities. We wish Lee well in the future.
