Worthing Football Club are pleased to confirm the signing of forward Callum Overton.

Overton, who started his youth career at Brighton & Hove Albion, joins the club having been released by AFC Wimbledon earlier in the summer.

The 18-year-old rejected a trial at Manchester City and interest from West Bromwich Albion before joining AFC Wimbledon, the team he grew up supporting, in 2013.

Worthing joint-manager Jon Meeney said: “Callum is a player that I’ve heard a lot about and I’ve seen on brief occasions. I spoke to a lot of contacts that I know.

“At this present time we’ve signed him on a deal that’s right for both parties. It’s a window of opportunity for him to prove himself for something longer term.

“There’s no pressure, he can go out there and play. He knows a couple of our lads, he fits the identity and he showed glimpses of his potential (against Burgess Hill).”

Overton, who lives locally, spent time on loan at Ryman Premier League club Bognor Regis Town last season, and played with Millwall during the summer.

Meeney added: “I saw him play against Brighton at the training ground when I was down there watching a game before my coaching commitments.

“The best thing for him to do now, after being at professional clubs and on loan at Bognor, is to settle within an environment where he can play football.

“I believe that there’s no better place because of what’s going on at Woodside, so we’ll look at him over the next couple of weeks.

“We’ll work with him and see what we can do to progress his game. Hopefully he can bring an extra dimension to us to make us as effective as possible, particularly in the final third.”

Overton played the full 90 minutes against Burgess Hill on Tuesday night, starting on the left wing before moving to a more central attacking role in the second half.

Meeney said: “I think he grew within the game. He can play wide, he can play down the middle and he’s got an edge about him. He likes to be positive and direct.

“We’ll see how he gets on. He’s another option and that’s what we want – hungry players who have an opportunity to play.”

Worthing Football Club would like to welcome Callum to the Photronix Stadium, and hope he enjoys a successful stay with the club.

Story by Sam Skilton. Photo by official club photographer Studio IV.