NEW signing Jared Hodgkiss has said manager Gary Whild was the main reason he agreed to join Kidderminster Harriers this week.

The 27-year-old put pen to paper on a one-year deal after leaving Forest Green Rovers.

Hodgkiss fills the gap left at right-back by Lee Vaughan, although he is comfortable playing on the other side as well.

He began his career with Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Bromwich Albion, but made his name at the New Lawn after joining in 2009 and making 170 appearances, including a spell as skipper.

“I spoke to quite a few players who played under the manager and they had nothing but good things to say about him, so that was a big thing for me,” he said.

Whild has had a busy summer so far, bolstering Kidderminster’s squad with five new faces to date.

Hodgkiss joins Craig Reid, Reece Styche, Jasbir Singh and Ahmed Obeng on the roster of fresh faces.

Speaking of Hodgkiss, Whild said: “It’s always a benefit that a lad can play in a couple of positions.

“We looked long and hard about bringing lads in and there has been no shortage in the full-back area.

“It was important we got the right person and that person is Jared.”

Meanwhile, BetVictor have made Harriers one of the title favourites for the 2014/15 Conference Premier.

Relegated Bristol Rovers are 6/1 to win automatic promotion, with Harriers and Forest Green at 8/1.