NEIL YOUNG believes his latest signing is a massive coup for Chester.
The Blues boss has secured the services of striker Nathan Jarman on a free transfer and on a two year deal.
Jarman, 25, netted 17 league and cup goals for Alfreton Town in the Conference Premier League last season and has joined Chester after turning down other offers from Conference Premier and Conference North clubs.
Young said: “To get a player of Nathan’s ability and experience on a free transfer is a massive coup for Chester Football Club.
“I know that other clubs had been chasing Nathan’s signature, but I’m delighted he has chosen to join Chester because I feel he ticks all the boxes.
“I have been criticised a little bit in the past about some of my signings and about Chris Simm recently being released, but people have to realise that we need to move on.
“I think Nathan will freshen things up in the final third after doing so well for Alfreton last season. I know he has great ability because I watched him a few times last season.”
Revealing that assistant Chester boss Gary Jones had played a key role in trying to persuade Jarman to join the Blues, Young added: “Nathan used to partner Gary Jones in attack at Grimsby Town and it was always mine and Gary’s ambition to secure Nathan’s signature.
“It is always very difficult to sign any player who plays in a higher division, but to get Nathan on a free transfer was a great piece of business.
“Most Conference North clubs are chasing the same players, but Gary played a big part in trying to sell the club and our project to Nathan and made sure that the deal got over the line."
Scunthorpe-born Jarman started his career at Barnsley as a youth and progressed to the first team, making 15 appearances between 2002 and 2007 while also having loan spells with Bury and Worksop Town.
The 5ft 11in tall forward then scored six goals in 48 appearances for Grimsby between 2007-10, and made 39 appearances for Alfreton last term.
Meanwhile, Young has set this Friday as a deadline for several players to make a decision about whether they intend to stay at Chester.
Young said: “I think Iain Howard and Robbie Booth will rejoin the club, but Michael Taylor is away until tomorrow, while Michael Wilde, Christian Smith and Alex Brown are still deciding what to do.
“I am setting a Friday deadline for those players who are still undecided about rejoining the club, but they have to understand that I only have one pot of money for my budget.
“I am still pursuing a few other targets which I would like to secure before I have a holiday. I am still wanting another forward as well as a left sided player, a centre back, and a goalkeeper as cover for John Danby.”