Ade Shokunbi signs for South Shields

Midfielder Ade Shokunbi has joined South Shields on a free transfer.

The 24-year-old most recently played in National League South for Hampton & Richmond Borough, and is a former team-mate of Jordy Mongoy after they linked up together at Billericay Town in 2018.

Shokunbi came through the Reading Academy and has also represented Nuneaton, Beaconsfield and Welling United.

The Peckham-born player has expressed his excitement after making the move north, and could make his debut in Saturday’s Pitching In Northern Premier League trip to Atherton Collieries.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be here and I’ve been very excited since I first heard about the club’s interest.

“The ambition and plan the club has makes so much sense, and after hearing all about where they want to go, I was eager to sign.

“I spoke a lot to Jordy Mongoy and he would tell you that I’ve been picking his brains and asking him every question under the sun.

“Everything he has said about the club has been perfect and made me even more excited to be here.

“I’m a box-to-box midfielder and my aim has always been to score goals and help the team out both in a defensive and attacking sense, so hopefully I can be a help between now and the end of the season.

“The target is to win promotion, and I can’t wait to get going.”

South Shields manager Kevin Phillips said: “We’re delighted to have brought Ade to the club.

“He is a great addition to our squad and it’s very pleasing to have him on board, especially considering he had some other attractive offers on the table.

“Ade is a box-to-box midfielder who has very good technical qualities, athleticism and physicality, and is able to chip in with goals.

“He brings an added presence to our side, and having lost two influential players in Callum Ross and Conor Newton from the squad in different circumstances, this is an important signing.

“Jordy spoke very highly of him and we’ve been very impressed with everything we’ve seen so far.

“It was very quickly clear how buzzing Ade was to have the chance to come here. He can’t wait to get going and we can’t wait to get working with him.”