WEYMOUTH have announced the signing of central defender Jamie Laird from Weston-super-Mare on a one-year deal.

The 24-year-old defender arrives at the Bob Lucas Stadium with a great pedigree, having come through the ranks at Plymouth Argyle from the age of eight and captained Scotland at various levels as a youngster.

On a deal which manager Jason Matthews claims could be a huge coup for the club, he told Echosport: “Jamie coming in is massive for me, I’m buzzing about it.

“He is an outstanding signing and a leader, and he fits the bill perfectly for what I have been looking for. His desire to play for Weymouth is massive and he is determined to achieve things and that is exactly the type of person I want to bring into the club.

“He wants success and we are delighted to have him.

Similar to the recent signing of new midfielder Shane Krac, Matthews admits he had to fight to secure the signature of his new recruit.

He added: “There were two or three clubs that came in for him and Weston wanted to keep him but he felt that we were more ambitious. He is having to drop down a league which makes him even more determined to get us up.

“He is a bit of an all rounder, he can play out from the back and I know our fans like to see us play good football.

“He is mobile, wins headers and gives me a great option. At 24 he is the perfect age and the right type of person that we are looking to sign.”

Laird, who totalled 46 appearances for Weston last season scoring one goal, has also plied his trade with Bridgwater Town and on the continent with two spells in Scandinavia.

He represented Ange IF in Sweden and also turned out for Norwegian outfit Steinkjer FK a year later.

Laird comes from a strong football family, he previously featured for the Seagulls under the management of his father Craig, and his brother Scott currently plays for Preston North End.