VETERAN defender Wayne Thomas has become Harriers' first signing of the summer after inking a one-year deal at Aggborough.

The former Stoke City and Southampton man has racked up more than 550 career appearances at all levels of the game and knows the non-league scene inside out after spells with the likes of Worcester City and Tamworth, and will add undoubted experience to what is a young Harriers side.

Thomas, 37, is also very familiar with the management team here at Aggborough, having been able to call upon boss John Eustace as a teammate back in his days at Stoke, and having played under Head of Coaching, Matt Gardiner, at Worcester.

The Gloucester-born centre-back also counts Torquay, Burnley and Doncaster Rovers among his other clubs having enjoyed a stellar career thus far, with a proven track record of having helped progress the careers of younger team mates with the likes of Barnsley's George Williams among his former fellow defenders.