Another new signing for Curzon Ashton

National League North side Curzon Ashton have bolstered their defensive ranks with another close-season signing. 

The Ashton-based side confirmed the capture of former Mansfield Town defender Noah Stokes on Monday afternoon (10 August). 

The 18-year-old Australian centre-back, who holds a British passport, grew up playing youth football for Bangalow Bluedogs Soccer Club in New South Wales. 

He arrives at the Tameside Stadium after being released by Mansfield, where he signed his first professional contract in May 2019. 

But two months later, he dislocated his knee in a pre-season friendly against Bradford Park Avenue and was subsequently sidelined for a long period. 

Stokes has since put that behind him and new Curzon boss Steve Cunningham is delighted to bring in a player of his quality. 

The manager told Curzon's website: "Noah is a versatile defender who can play across the back line, he's comfortable with both feet and he's got a great style about him in terms of his composure and his ability to be commanding from the back. He demonstrates leadership qualities, but with a quieter tone, differently for example to Doug Tharme.

"Noah is an Australian lad, looking to come over to England to make a career in football. He holds a British passport and he was recently with Mansfield Town. Unfortunately, Noah dislocated his knee during a first-team pre-season friendly last season, the club supported him throughout the season and got him back to the recovery stage, which he has just passed, and we're delighted that we're able to give Noah the opportunity to get back to where he was before his injury.

"He's a young, promising centre-half, and giving him the opportunity to get plenty of minutes under his belt, and the chance to enjoy his football again is exciting. He's shown great character already, his desire to play for the football club by relocating to the Manchester area, from Mansfield, is impressive, and he's really settled in well with the lads. He's got a great attitude to training, and trains really hard and to a high standard. We're really looking forward to seeing how he develops, alongside our group this coming season."