PORTHMADOG boss Sion Eifion says he is delighted to have signed Huws Gray Cymru Alliance Player of the Year Mel McGuinness from Holyhead Hotspur.

Eifion is hopeful that the experienced striker can make a huge contribution to the Port attack next season, having recently clinched gold for Ynys Môn at the Inter Island-Games.The 29-year-old, who scored the winner in their 2-1 victory over Guernsey in the final, will join fellow Ynys Môn gold medal heroes Paul Pritchard and John Littlemore at the Traeth.“We’re delighted that Mel has decided to join us for the coming season,” said Eifion.

“He joins us after a fantastic week at the Island Games, which will no doubt give him great confidence for the new season.

“He’s a proven goalscorer at this level, and he is a nightmare for any defender to play against. I’m sure that he will grow to be a favourite with the Port faithful.”

Meanwhile 20 year-old midfielder Ilan ap Gareth, who spent the latter part of last season on loan at the Traeth from Welsh Premier League club Cefn Druids, has also made his move to Port permanent.

“I think he’ll be a great asset for the club for many years to come, and we all look forward to see him grow with the club over the next few years,” said Eifion.

“Ilan has so much ability on the ball and has already played Welsh Premier League football at such a young age, so it’s really exciting to have got him signed for Port.

“He’s really eager to get his head down and work hard to get his place in the side.”

It has also been confirmed that talented young Reserve team keeper Morgan Jones will be promoted to the first team squad.

The decision has come on the back of the rule change regarding the transfer window - with a second keeper becoming an essential as part of the squad - and Jones will provide cover for Paul Pritchard.

“Morgs will become part of the first team squad next season and rightly so, after his fantastic season with the reserves last year,” says the Porthmadog boss.“There’s no doubt that Morgs will become a very good keeper at this level, but he understands that he’s still young and that he has one of the best keepers in the league in front of him in Paul Pritchard.

“Training and working closely with Paul over the next season will give him so much experience moving forward.

“There are also a couple of games that we have already identified that Morgan can come in and get some game time. We are all looking forward to having him with the first team squad next season.”

Defender Carwyn Jones has also joined the Club from Aberystwyth Town, who he joined on deadline day in January from Penrhyncoch. From Harlech, he previously played for Barmouth and Dyffryn Utd.

Meanwhile Julian Williams has left the club to join Colwyn Bay, having spent four seasons - apart from a previous short spell with Colwyn Bay- at the Traeth, after first joining Porthmadog back in 2015.

He was a key attacking performer, making 93 starts and scoring 47 goals. He was the leading scorer in 2015/16 and 2016/17.