Despite the departure of Rene Howe, Torquay United manager Alan Knill has added to his squad with the signing of midfielder Ben Harding.
An experienced lower-league midfielder, Harding, 28, helped Northampton Town to reach the League Two Play-Off final last season where they were beaten by Bradford City.
After scoring twice for the Cobblers in 41 appearances in the 2012-13 campaign, he was part of a whole draft of players who were released by their manager Aidy Boothroyd following their Wembley defeat to the Bantams, which included former Gulls Bayo Akinfenwa, Jake Robinson and Luke Guttridge.
Prior to his spell at the Sixfields, Harding had started his career with Wimbledon in 2003, prior to their move to Milton Keynes and subsequent name change.
Loan spells with Forest Green Rovers, Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic, Harding joined Aldershot permanently in 2007 and was a key figure in helping them to win the Conference title in the 2007-08 season.
At the end of the campaign, he was called up for the England C side, along with Torquay's Kevin Nicholson, for the Four Nations Tournament with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, which England won.
A short spell with Wycombe Wanderers later followed before he signed for the Cobblers in the January 2012 transfer window.
He has agreed a two-year deal with the Gulls.
