WEYMOUTH have landed experienced central defender Pat Baldwin on a one-year deal.

Baldwin’s former clubs include the likes of Colchester, Bristol Rovers and Southend after being on the books with Chelsea at youth level.

The 32-year-old, who was forced to sit out a large part of the 2014/15 campaign with a serious knee injury, joins the Terras after not being retained by Exeter City.

He did however make his return for the final 15 minutes of the Grecians’ season in a 2-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge last month.

Describing the deal as a “big coup” for his side, manager Jason Matthews told Echosport: “I am delighted to have an experienced centre-half, which is something I have lacked since I have been at the club.

“He has been released from Exeter and was looking to go part-time, he had a couple of other offers from higher league clubs.

“I have contacts at Exeter and he was spoken very highly of. He is a big leader on the pitch and I am delighted to get him in.”

Baldwin, who is taking a teacher training course outside of football, is a character that the Terras’ player-manager believes will have a huge impact on the side.

He added: “I feel we needed an organiser at the back and Pat fits the bill perfectly. The big thing for me is he is still hungry and wants to have one last promotion on his CV.

“Those things were the telling factor in me bringing him to the club.

“We conceded too many goals last year and I was looking to strengthen from the back.

“We faced competition from other clubs and still have a budget to work to but he fits in perfectly. I thank Pat for choosing to come to us and, for me, I think it’s a big coup for Weymouth Football Club.”

Asked whether any further deals were in the pipeline, Matthews claimed: “Pat is probably the first of one or two signings in the next few days.

“The squad is starting to take shape and I am in current negotiations with one or two strikers as well. On the current squad I am very near to securing deals.”