UNITED have signed Australian defender Aaron Downes on a one-year deal after his release from Chesterfield.
The Gulls have swooped for his signature after manager Martin Ling watched Aaron play as a trialist for Yeovil in a pre-season win over Plymouth on the weekend.
Although Aaron has been the victim of two serious knee injuries in the past, Martin is confident his fitness and talent will flourish at Plainmoor, although he will sit out of tonight's friendly with Tiverton at TQ1.
"Aaron is a 27 year-old Australian who played for Chesterfield and Bristol Rovers last season," said Martin. "He was going to be a massive product at Chesterfield but has suffered a couple of bad knee injuries.
"These have definitely thwarted his career in terms of where he wanted to go and he is looking to rebuild. He played 22 games last year between Chesterfield and Bristol Rovers, and he wants to go back to where he was aiming.
"He needs someone to take a punt and that is the right word for a player who has suffered two cruciates, but we're very confident he will be fine. He was available for most of last season and I've spoken to a lot of people about him, and all I've heard has been positive.
"I watched him play for Yeovil in pre-season and they wanted to take him, but as a cover player rather than a starter. I've told Aaron I'm looking for a left-sided centre-half and he has played 90% of his football in that position, even though he is right-footed.
"He won't play tonight because that would be a little too rushed. He is just signing the paperwork and he will be with us at training this morning before watching tonight."