CHELMSFORD City manager Jeff King has added further weight to the Clarets' Blue Square South title credentials by bringing sought-after defender and midfielder Sam Sloma to Melbourne Park.

CHELMSFORD City manager Jeff King has added further weight to the Clarets' Blue Square South title credentials by bringing sought-after defender and midfielder Sam Sloma to Melbourne Park.

Clarets head coach Glenn Pennyfather said: “Sam was a member of the Dagenham & Redbridge side which won the Conference and he played a number of games for them last season, so there's no doubt about his quality. He was the best player on the park when we played Grays Athletic in the Setanta Shield before Christmas and he can play centrally or on the left-side of defence or midfield. We're delighted to have him on board.”

The 26-year-old began his footballing life as a trainee with Wimbledon, where he captained their youth team, prior to being loaned out to Hampton & Richmond Borough. He then signed for Aylesbury United, making a total of 18 appearances, before moving on to Wingate & Finchley, where he racked-up 167 games and was named Player of the Year in 2003/04.

In February 2006, he joined Ryman League Premier Division club Wealdstone before moving to Thurrock in the Conference South in April 2006 on dual-registration terms.

Sloma signed for Dagenham & Redbridge two months later and spent two seasons there, helping them to achieve Football League status for the first time in their history. Additionally, he scored their first ever League goal.

June of last year saw Grays Athletic announce his signature in the Blue Square Premier and he scored on his debut in a 2-1 home victory over Northwich Victoria from 35 yards.

Sloma has also enjoyed an international flavour to his career, having played in the United States for Milwaukee Wave United in the A-League, scoring after just seven minutes of his debut match. In 2005 he appeared for the Great Britain football team at the Maccabiah Games in Israel.