Holleran Brings in Medrano

Paul Holleran, manager of Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central newcomers Leamington, has secured the services of promising youngster Jiah Medrano and has retained Devon Kelly-Evans ahead of their return to Step 3 football.

Medrano has spent the last two seasons with Shepshed Dynamo in the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands, but signed dual registration forms with the Brakes` new league rivals Nuneaton Borough towards the end of the campaign.

The 20-year-old defender or defensive midfielder had moved to the Dovecote in September 2021 from United Counties League Premier Division North neighbours Kirby Muxloe.

He joined Kirby Muxloe in July 2021 after returning to Leicestershire.

He started his career with Vanarama National League South side Yeovil Town, who he left in the summer of 2021.

The academy graduate made the first team bench towards the end of the 2020/21 season.

Holleran told his club’s website: “Our recruitment this year will be a mixture of players from the level and above, but also two or three that we feel are the right age that have performed really well at Steps 3, 4 and 5. Jiah is one of those players, and was highlighted as one of the best defenders in a tough division last season.

“He's young lad that we've watched a few times last year and he's performed very well. He's taken a similar path to a few players and has gone and got good experience at Shepshed, and the next step now for him is hopefully to come to Leamington and step up. We are very much looking forward to working with him.”

Kelly-Evans became the latest of last season’s squad to agree terms for the 2023/24 season.

The 26-year-old midfielder has opted to stay with the Brakes, despite interest from elsewhere.

Coventry-born, Kelly-Evans signed for Leamington in August 2021 from Nuneaton Borough.

He first joined Nuneaton on loan from Championship neighbours Coventry City during the 2016/17 season.

Despite making a 14 first team appearances, he was released by the Sky Blues at the end of the 2017/18 season and joined Boro on a permanent basis in July 2018.

He took all the player of the year awards for Boro at the end of the 2019/20 campaign when he made 49 appearances.