ABERYSTWYTH Town’s talented new signing Steven Hewitt says he is looking forward to making his return to the Cymru Premier League.

The 26-year-old ex-Bangor City midfielder has joined the Seasiders from Australian club Hume City, of the National Premier (Victoria) League.

“I spoke to a couple of teams, but when I spoke to Gavin (Allen) he told me about his style of football and his ambitions for the season, and it sounded perfect for the way I want to play,” Hume told ATFC.org.uk.

“I knew it was the right club for me. I had also spoken to Barnsey (Sam Barnes) and Willow (Marc Williams) and they both said how great a Club this is and that I’d be a perfect fit, so it really was an easy choice for me to make.“For me, the main goal this season is getting a European spot. That was made clear to me by everyone that I spoke to at the Club, and I feel that with our squad and coaching staff, we have enough experience and quality to achieve that. I can’t wait to get started and help this great Club get back to where it belongs.”

Manchester-born Hewitt began his career with the youth teams of Blackburn Rovers and Stockport County, before becoming a scholar with Burnley FC in 2010.

He signed his first professional contract in October 2011, a two-and-a-half-year deal to remain at Turf Moor, and made his professional debut for the club in March 2012, as a substitute for Charlie Austin in a 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Loan spells with Alfreton Town and Southport followed, where he made 22 appearances, scoring twice, before then leaving the Clarets at the end of his contract.

After short spells at Chester and Southport, Hewitt joined Accrington Stanley on a one-year contract in 2016, and in 2017 he joined Gary Taylor-Fletcher’s Bangor City team, which finished as the runners-up to The New Saints.

Hewitt, who had scored a rasping half-volley at Park Avenue to snatch all three points for the Citizens against Aber, spent a year with National Premier League Victoria side Hume City, based in Broadmeadows, a suburb of Melbourne.

Meanwhile the other additions at Aber include Owain Jones (Merthyr Town); Jamie Veale (Merthyr Town); Rhys Davies (Hereford United); Sam Barnes (Widnes FC); Harri Rowe (Haverfordwest County); Jack Rimmer (Penrhyncoch); Jonathan Evans (Penrhyncoch); Steffan Davies (Penrhyncoch) and George Harry (Newtown).

The Seasiders have also confirmed that local lads and Aberystwyth University Scholarship holders Mathew Jones and Alex Pennock will return to this year’s squad.

Jones was a consistent presence in Aber’s 2019/20 team, and keeper Pennock provided back-up to Connor Roberts, making five first team appearances last season.

Meanwhile other local retentions include talented winger Richie Ricketts, who made a number of first team appearances at just 16 years of age, and established central defender Lee Jenkins, who has signed a one year extension to his contract.

Adam Davies and Ilan Hughes were mid-season additions to the squad, and supporters will be keen to see what they too can offer, having only seen a brief glimpse of their talents before the season was curtailed.

Meanwhile the Club has also confirmed the departures of Luke Boundford, David Thompson, Pavel Vieira, Edmilson Vaz, Paulo Mendes and Aaron Pomeyie.