Torquay United boss Martin Ling has moved quickly to secure the signature of Irish midfielder Ian Morris who was let go by Scunthorpe United during the close season.
Morris, who has been capped by the Republic of Ireland at Under-19 and Under-21 level, had been on trial at the Gulls' League Two rivals Hereford United.
As a left footed player, he is the final piece in Ling's jigsaw as he approaches the start of the 2011-2012 campaign.
"He is the missing piece of the jigsaw that I've been talking about all the way through," said Ling. "He's a left-footed player who is happy playing out wide.
"We've got good wide players here but we do need a left-sided player, and Ian is very comfortable out wide. He can play in the middle as well but has played most his career out wide.
"He has got Championship games behind him and has good pedigree. In previous times, Ian wouldn't be dropping down to League 2 because there would be clubs out there for him.
"In the current climate, he has dropped down to find his home and I'm very pleased. When I saw his name on the available list, I was immediately hoping we had enough money to do the deal."
Ling also believes that Ian will fit in well with the environment that he is aiming to develop at Plainmoor.
"We have a group of players at the training ground that want to learn, want to be successful and want to work hard. Ian will not disrupt that approach and that's important.
"We've had to act quickly because he's been on trial with Hereford, and scored two goals as well, so we're very happy."
After starting his career with Leeds United, Ian joined Scunthorpe United in 2006 and he made 92 appearances for Scunny in all competitions and scored eight goals.
He has also enjoyed loan spells with Blackpool, Carlisle United and Chesterfield where he featured in their League Two title winning side last season.
