Defender Liam Kitching has become Forest Green Rovers’ latest summer signing after joining from Championship Leeds United.

The 19-year-old has penned a three-year-deal at The New Lawn to become the eighth addition of the window.

Following two loan spells with Harrogate Town, where he gained promotion from the National League South in his first campaign and made the play-offs in his second, the left-sided centre-back is ready to show what he is capable of in League Two.

“I’m delighted to be here and I didn’t have any second thoughts when I heard about the opportunity,” Kitching said.

“I came and met the manager and had a look around the club and it’s a really good place and they sold it to me straight away.

“I’ve been out on loan for the past two years and I think it is time for the step up now and really give it a good go.”

Mark Cooper, Forest Green manager, said: “He is versatile, he can play left centre-back and left-back, is a good size, he can run and has got a good left foot.

“He has got experience of playing in the National League at a young age and is one that we have identified from a long way out that if we had the chance to get him, we’d do it.

“I think it is important that we get some cover for Nathan McGinley and Joseph Mills.”

During the 2017/18 season, Kitching was a regular in Leeds’ Under-23 side, before joining Harrogate in January to gain first-team experience.

He signed a new contract at Elland Road last summer before heading back to Wetherby Road for the last campaign where he made 34 starts.

Kitching joined up with the club yesterday at the pre-season training camp in Devon and will be given his squad number later this summer.