It is probably fair to say Torquay United's close season signings have been like London buses this week, you spend ages waiting for one and then - all of a sudden - two come along at once.
No sooner had the signing of Jason Banton been unveiled, the Gulls announced the signing of former Luton Town, Oxford United and Cheltenham Town midfielder Asa Hall from Barrow.
If any signing made by United to date should be considered a statement of any future intent, then it is the acquisition of Hall.
At 31 years of age, he brings vast experience to manager Gary Owers' squad having made 385 appearances and scored 45 goals in a career which began as a youth team player with Birmingham City.
His career honours include a Johnstone's Paint Trophy triumph in 2009 with Luton, the National League title with Cheltenham in 2016 and then helped York City win the 2017 FA Trophy, whilst on loan with the Minstermen.
Such experience is likely to be crucial to a Gulls' side who need to get used to winning games in what is likely to be a highly competitive National League South in 2018-19.
Hall's arrival takes Owers' squad up to ten, which includes defenders George Essuman and Jakob Sokolik, wide men Bobson Bawling and Banton and strikers Brett Williams, Jamie Reid and Ruairi Keating as well as transfer listed duo Josh Gowling and Jon-Paul Pittman, who both remain on the club's books.
This week United also said goodbye to central defender Sean McGinty who moved north of the border to join Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle.
