Tommy Fraser has become the latest player to sign up for Whitehawk’s first ever season in Conference south.

The former Albion midfielder has rejoined the club following a spell in Australia playing for Melbourne Knights.

Fraser, 25, was in terrific form before leaving Whitehawk in February.

His contribution helped send Hawks on their way to a third promotion in four years and he continued to shine Down Under with five goals in eight appearances before deciding to make an early return to England.

Whitehawk boss Darren Freeman has been in negotiations with Fraser about a return for the past fortnight and has now persuaded the player to re-sign for the club, where he will again link up with brother James.

Fraser joins fellow new signings Lewis Taylor (Kingstonian), Tom Cadmore (Hayes and Yeading), Richard Rose (Dartford) and former Bournemouth midfielder Alex Parsons who joins from the Nike Academy.

Freeman has praised Fraser – who made a total of 148 Football League appearances for Albion, Port Vale and Barnet – for agreeing to a deal which stays within Whitehawk’s budget for their first ever season at this level.

He said: “I would like to thank Tom. He knew he could play for a lot more money at another team but he has come to play for Whitehawk. It is great news for us and great news for the fans.

“He is an exceptional player and a great addition to our squad with the other players we have brought in as well.

“He has played a lot of Football League games as have Richard Rose and Charlie Henry (who has signed a new deal). These players are very hard to get and nine times out of ten they go for a lot of money.

“They have understood we haven’t got as much money as people think we have. They have agreed to stay within our budget which is really great news.

“I have had a dig at people who want this and that but on the other hand you have to applaud some lads who realise what a club is trying to do on and off the pitch.”

Whitehawk begin their pre-season at home to Albion on Saturday.