Tonbridge Angels sign defender Ethan Sutcliffe after 93 appearances on loan from AFC Wimbledon

Ethan Sutcliffe has signed a permanent deal with Tonbridge Angels - after almost a century of loan appearances.

Defender Sutcliffe played 93 times for the Angels across three spells on loan from Football League club AFC Wimbledon, scoring 11 goals.

The 22-year-old was available after being released by the Dons - and Tonbridge have beaten off competition from higher levels to land his signature.

“We’ve been working tirelessly on this deal,” Angels manager Alan Dunne told the National League South club’s website.

“Personally, I’ve seen Ethan grow both as a player and a person. He’s added goals to his game but there’s more to come from him.

“Ethan is ambitious and I think he has all the attributes to go and play at a higher level.

“Being defenders ourselves, myself and Tony Craig (Angels coach) know what’s required and we feel we can bring him on even more.

“He did have other options but he chose us. It’s a huge signing for the club and I’m delighted.”

Sutcliffe, whose first two loan spells at Tonbridge came under former manager Jay Saunders, returned for a third stint last season and was voted supporters’ player-of-the-year.

Speaking to Angels’ media team, the centre-half said: “I did have some strong interest from a couple of other clubs in higher leagues but they didn’t feel right.

“Alan and Sophie (Purves, chair) kept in constant touch with me and to be so sought after is obviously a special feeling, and I have a special relationship with the fans here.

“It’s a relief to have everything sorted and not have anything looming over me, and now I’m looking forward to getting stuck into pre-season.”