Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has revealed the identity of two of the five signings he has lined up for the 2020-21 season.
Johnson has confirmed that experienced Danny Wright, 35, who previously helped him to win the National League title in the 2015-16 campaign with Cheltenham Town, and young prospect Andrew Nelson, 22, formerly of Sunderland and Dundee, will arrive at Plainmoor to spearhead the Gulls' attack when the new season eventually gets underway.
Wright has crossed swords with United on many occasions in the past in his career which has taken in spells with Histon, Kidderminster Harriers, Cheltenham and Solihull Moors amongst others. In the Robins' National League title winning season he found the back of the net 22 times, including two goals at Plainmoor in a 3-0 win over the Gulls on Easter Monday 2015 - current United assistant manager Aaron Downes scored Cheltenham's other goal on that occasion.
"He's a young 35, coming on 36," remarked Johnson remarked in an interview on the club's official website. "I wouldn't sign a 35, 36 year old has been. Not only is he a very experienced player, he's a very good player on and off the pitch. He's has a presence about him and I felt that we didn't have that presence up front last year."
Nelson hails from Stockton-on-Tees and came through the youth academy of Sunderland before appearing three times for the Black Cats' Under-23 side in the EFL Trophy. During his time at Sunderland, he enjoyed loan spells with Hartlepool United in League Two, Harrogate Town in National League North, Falkirk in the Scottish Championship and Darlington in National League North over the course of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns. His best goal return of these loan spells came during his stay with Darlington, which saw him score six goals in five league appearances midway through the 2018-19 season.
Shortly after the end of his stint with the Quakers, he signed for Dundee who were then in the Scottish Premier League. Despite marking his league debut against Heart of Midlothian with a goal that clinched a 2-1 for the Dark Blues on January 23, 2019, he was unable to help them to avoid relegation to the Scottish Championship at the end of the campaign. He left Dens Park by mutual consent after the 2019-20 season was suspended following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There is so much potential in this lad, it's unbelievable," said Johnson. "He's got this work ethic where he's a pest and he's a clever pest. He can and will get himself into goalscoring situations. They are going to endear themselves to the Yellow Army because you will identify with these strikers and they will identify them."
In addition to this, Johnson also revealed that he will be adding to two centre backs to his squad as well as an attacking midfielder who will be confirmed next week.
The National League are also expected to make an official announcement about the start date for the new season after it was revealed that the Premier League and the EFL will be commencing on September 12.
