DEFENDER Jordan Tunnicliffe has given Harriers a boost by agreeing to sign a one-year deal.

The 21-year-old has accepted a deal which starts in July.

It’s just the boost that manager Gary Whild was looking for after centre back Jamie Grimes opted to join Conference rivals Dover Athletic.

Tunnicliffe joined midway through last season from Sutton Coldfield and was thrown straight in the deep end as he stood in for the injured Josh Gowling.

He also had a successful loan period at Hednesford before returning for the final two games of the season.

While Harriers’ restricted budget means that players won’t be paid until the start of pre-season, Whild was keen to tie up the former West Brom and Barnsley youngster.

He said: "We were keen to get this sorted because, for 21 years of age, he has shown that he has more than enough about him to push on and improve here.

"He's accepted his deal but what speaks volumes about him is that, in financial terms, he knows there is no wage here for him until July.

"Now I'm sure he could have gone off and pursued things at clubs where that wouldn't have been the case, so it says a lot.

"We're excited about him and have seen enough in him and his performances to know that he can come back and carry on improving."

On the progress Jordan has already made, Whild added: "He went out to Hednesford and used that as a positive - I thought he showed some great attributes in the games at the end of the season.

"For a lad of his age he's a bit of a leader and an organiser and he's someone we feel has a good future."

Meanwhile, former Harriers midfielder Josh O’Keefe has signed for Altrincham.