Torquay United manager Gary Johnson hinted that he was saving room in his squad for a 'Roy of the Rovers' signing, and former Ebbsfleet striker Josh Umerah could yet fit that bill.
Umerah,23, faced the Gulls twice last season - and netted a brace against them in October 2019 in a 4-2 defeat for the Fleet in a game that also saw Johnson take the number of points that United had won since he took over to over 100. He also featured in the Fleet's 0-0 draw with the Gulls at Plainmoor in January 2020.
His arrival - in addition to the signing of Dean Moxey - takes the United squad up to 22 and Johnson expressed his delight at getting him on board.
"I'm very pleased that Josh has agreed to join us," said Johnson. "He gives us, as I have always said,another golf club in our bag. He's a presence, he's quick and strong and gives us another option up front. I am pleased with my squad now, and if we can keep everyone fit and healty then we've got a competitive one."
After coming through the youth ranks at Charlton Athletic, he enjoyed loan stints with Kilmarnock, Wycombe Wanderers and Boreham Wood before joining Ebbsfleet United in the summer of 2019; he then went on to find the back of the net for the Fleet five times in 30 appearances in the 2019-20 season.
He also follows in the footsteps of another striker who left Ebbsfleet to sign for a team managed by Johnson in John Akinde, who the United boss previously signed for Bristol City. Akinde, who was an FA Trophy winner with the Fleet in 2008, arrived at Ashton Gate early in the 2008-09 season. Whilst he never became a regular for the Robins, he did enjoy a good career in the lower leagues with the likes of Barnet and Lincoln City amongst others and is currently plying his trade in League One with Gillingham.
