Aldershot Town have signed Hemel Hempstead Town midfielder Matt Saunders on a contract until the end of the season.
The 25 year-old former Dagenham and Redbridge player, who had been on trial with The Shots earlier in the season, began his career in the Fulham FC Academy but made his professional debut for Lincoln City in January 2010. In a four-month loan spell at Sincil Bank, Saunders made 19 appearances and scored three goals.
Released by Fulham in the summer of 2011, Matt eventually joined John Still’s Daggers in February 2012 on an 18-month contract and went on to make 45 appearances, scoring four goals, in an injury-hit two seasons. Having played two trial matches for Luton Town during the summer of 2014, Saunders then made two appearances for Whitehawk in Conference South before a short spell at Dover Athletic, during which he played one game in the Vanarama Conference.
In November 2014, Saunders signed for another Conference South side, Hemel Hempstead Town, and made 13 appearances for The Tudors.
“We wanted to sign Matt in October but we’ve had to wait until now,” explained manager Andy Scott of the midfielder with excellent creativity and range of passing. “He’s got good quality and understands the game. He can play in both central-midfield and out on the right, and I think that, along with Ryan Jarvis and Danny East, he will be able to keep the ball better for us.”
Saunders will wear shirt number 18 and is available for selection against Lincoln City this weekend.
