Stones make quintuple signing

Wealdstone have added five new players to the squad ahead of the beginning of the 2021/22 National League season.

Pending FA and League approval the new additions are midfielders Charlie Cooper, Zach Dronfield and Medy Elito and goalkeepers Alfie Marigliani and George Wickens who joins on a one-year long loan deal.

Wickens joins the Stones on a season-long loan from Championship club Fulham after being an ever-present in goal this pre-season.

The 19-year old Petersfield-born keeper was a regular in Fulham's U23 squad last season and has also represented England at U16 level. He will wear the number one jersey for Stones this term.

Cooper joins the Stones on a year-long deal after previously having played for Woking last season in the National League. He made 46 appearances for the Cards last season, scoring four times.

The 24-year old central midfielder began his career with Birmingham City and had loan spells at York City and Forest Green Rovers in the National League whilst at the Blues, helping the latter to promotion into EFL League Two where he then made a permanent move.

Loan spells at Newport County and Boreham Wood came whilst at Forest Green before a season each at FC Halifax Town and Woking. Cooper is also the son of Barrow manager Mark Cooper and grandson of the late Leeds United legend Terry Cooper.

The third newest signing Dronfield joined the Stones after being let go by Premier League side Norwich City.

He was captain of the Canaries U18 side whilst there and is mainly used as a defensive midfielder. Dronfield scored in last night's 3-0 win over Watford U23s and like Wickens and Elito, has been an ever-present this pre-season as a trialist.

Elito joins the Stones after a year out of the game. The 31-year old attacking midfielder was born in Zaire (now DR Congo) but has represented England from U17 to U19 level, including at the FIFA U17 World Cup in 2007.

He was previously at Barnet, where he spent two season and is most-known for his spell at Dagenham & Redbridge where he made 136 appearances, scoring 20 times over a four-season period in which the Daggers played in EFL League One and League Two.

Elito scored in the Stones 4-1 win over Chesham United in pre-season and other former clubs include Colchester United, Cheltenham Town, Cambridge United, Newport County and VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands where he spent a year playing.

And the Stones final signing sees young goalkeeper Alfie Marigliani join on non-contract terms having previously been at Barnet. Marigliani spent time out on loan at Ilford and Southend Manor whilst at the Bees.

Catch these five and all of our other new signings in action as the Stones open the season at home to Woking on Saturday 21st August. Click HERE to buy your tickets now!