Aldershot Town begin their pre-season preparations tonight with a friendly against Brentford at the EBB Stadium.
Kick-off is 7.30pm, as Dean Smith brings his Bees team looking to build on last season’s 10-place finish in the Sky Bet Championship.
Smith has this morning confirmed a deal for South Africa international midfielder Kamo Mokotjo, from FC Twente, having previously signed Denmark international right-back Henrik Dalsgaard from Zulte Waregem and Scunthorpe goalkeeper Luke Daniels.
Centre-back and Captain Harlee Dean was named Fans Player of the Year in 2016-17 and approaches his 250th appearance for the Club, whilst midfielder Ryan Woods was named Players’ Player of the Year. Former Arsenal defensive midfielder Nico Yennaris, goalkeeper Dan Bentley, French right-back Maxime Colin and St Kitts and Nevis midfielder Romaine Sawyers were other mainstays of last season’s team, all making at least 40 appearances.
16-goal top scorer was Denmark international Lasse Vibe, followed by Scott Hogan (who scored 14 before joining Aston Villa in January) and Spanish winger Jota, who scored 12 in just 19 starts.
Netherlands Under 21 winger Florian Jozefzoon has extended his stay at Griffin Park by signing a new two-year contract having joined the Club in January.
Republic of Ireland defender John Egan was another to extend his stay, signing a new three-and-a-half-year contract in February, and was one of several players to return from international duty this week to give Smith a full squad to work with, prompting the manager to tell GetWestLondon: “Training has gone well and the players have looked really good. It’s a tough intense period of training and it’s hard work and where you see a lot of that team spirit and driving people. The chat we had at the start already was we want to get better, push the limits and see what we can get from that.”
Shots boss Gary Waddock is expected to field a number of trialists this evening, with new signings Bobby-Joe Taylor and Shaun Okojie likely to make their first appearances in a red and blue shirt amongst a fully-fit squad.
Admission is £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
