Southport sign central defender Ryan Astles

Southport sign central defender Ryan Astles

24-year-old central defender Ryan Astles has joined Southport FC as the club’s second summer signing.

The towering 6″4 centre-half spent his junior years at Tranmere Rovers and Chester City before joining Wigan Athletic on a scholarship as a 16-year-old in 2010. In his second year Ryan became captain of the Wigan Athletic U18 side and made several appearances for the reserve side.

Ryan then moved into Welsh football, joining Buckley Town and then Rhyl, where he won Manager’s Player of the Year and Player’s Player of the Year.

Following a stint at Northwich Victoria, Ryan joined Chester in January 2016, and has since made over 100 appearances for the Blues. Ryan made 41 National League appearances for Chester in 2017/18.

Ryan has signed a two year contract with the Club and joins on a free transfer.

On joining Southport FC Ryan said: “I spoke with the Board. The amibition of the Club really drew me in. Seeing all the plans and what the Club want to achieve, that was one of the main things. I’m really happy to be joining the Club.”

On his aims for the season, Ryan said: “Everyone here wants to be pushing for promotion. That’s the main aim. I’ll make sure I give 100% to that, getting the club back to where it wants to be. Personally for me, the aim has to be clean sheets, but we all want that promotion.”

On the day’s second signing, Liam Watson said “Ryan is someone who I’ve watched an awful lot of times. He’s a big, dominant fella. He’s a lot younger than people believe he is, so he’s been doing really well playing in the National League since 21.

“He’s played a lot of games, and he’s good in both boxes. He’s left footed, so there’s a balance at the back.”

Reflecting on his first signings in Astles and Hanford, Watson said: “Well they’re men, aren’t they? They’re not boys, they’re men. They’ve been there, seen it, they know what to expect. They’ve both got physicality. Astles especially, you need a presence. He gives us that. They’ll both be really good signings for the club.”