Former Derby County defender Dean Leacock signs for Lowestoft Town

The 33-year-old, who once enjoyed a season in the Premier League with Derby County, has joined the Trawlerboys after impressing on trial at the Amber Dew Events Stadium this summer.

Leacock started his career at Fulham before moving on to Derby after loan spells at Coventry City. He helped the Rams win promotion to the Premier League in 2007 and made 27 appearances in the top flight for the Pride Park outfit. After spells with Leyton Orient and Notts County he dropped out of the Football League in 2014 and has enjoyed spells at Crawley, Whitehawk and, most recently, Welling.

Lowestoft boss Ady Gallagher is counting on the defender to make a big impression on the Blues' backline.

'With Dean, he gives us real experience,' he told the official website. 'In the game against Southend you can see, even though he's not up to his full level of fitness, the experience and quality he brings to the backline. He's a good talker on the pitch and a leader. He could prove to be a really big signing for us this summer. I'm absolutely thrilled to have secured his signature, it's another good addition to what is looking like a much stronger squad.'

Lowestoft have also completed the signing of young striker Declan Daniels on loan from Ipswich Town.

'I feel that he gives us another option up-front and he's scored lots of goals for the U23's at Ipswich,' added Galagher. 'This will be a great learning curve for him, as with boys like Nico Cotton (from Southend), this level toughens you up and makes you stronger. I think it's going to be a great experience for him and it's another solid, young addition for us.'

Lowestoft were without a game over the weekend but are back in friendly action at Gorleston tomorrow.

King's Lynn Town continued their preparations for the new season with a 1-1 draw against Peterborough Sports.

Craig Parker gave the Linnets the lead in the 15th minute but Sports equalised late on through an acrobatic effort from Josh Sanders.