Welling United sign serial promotion winner Nathan Cooper after defender leaves National League new boys Hornchurch

Welling United manager Ryan Maxwell has described his latest addition as a “huge, huge signing for the club”.

Defender Nathan Cooper has joined the Wings after leaving National League new boys Hornchurch.

Cooper, 32, is a serial promotion winner, most recently helping the Urchins to National League South play-off glory last season.

The centre-half made 347 appearances across two spells with Hornchurch, initially joining from Romford in 2015, and previously played under Wings boss Maxwell at Braintree.

Maxwell is thrilled to be reunited with a player who attracted plenty of interest after it was announced he would be leaving Hornchurch.

Welling are looking to mount a top-six challenge in the Isthmian Premier next season - and the arrival of Cooper is a major boost to their hopes.

“I’m absolutely delighted to bring Nathan Cooper to the club,” said Maxwell.

“He's a real winner, fresh off the back of promotion to the National League with Hornchurch.

“A player who's been involved in seven play-off campaigns, he's won three leagues and he comes with real pedigree as a winner.

“He’s at his peak, 32, he's strong, great in the air, quick and a great leader on the pitch and off it.

“He’s someone that I've had previously at Braintree and I know exactly what I'm getting with Nathan.

“He certainly leaves it all out there every week and he's a real coup for the club.

“The fans will see a player out there who's a real warrior and a huge, huge signing for the club.

“I've got a very good relationship with Nathan and having spoken to him continually through the summer, I was delighted to finally get an agreement in place and get him here.

“He's not too far from Welling and I think that helped, but he knows exactly what he's signing for.

“