Riad sets up Kitten match

Brand new Shifnal Town signing Riad Erraji has set tongues wagging in the county after he revealed that he is currently dating the pop princess. The former Bromsgrove midfielder is reputed to have met Miss Hamilton at a trendy wine bar in Liverpool at the start of the year.

And after making appearances in OK Magazine, Erraji said that they are very much in love.

But he added that both of them remain determined to concentrate on their respective careers.

"I have got my own coffee shop business and she has got her pop career, so it is a very even relationship. She is happy with what she does and so am I."

Natasha was a member of Atomic Kitten, along with Kerry Katona, ex-wife of former Westlife member Brian McFadden, and Liz Mclarnon, who is also dating a footballer, Swansea's Lee Trundle. Kerry was later replaced by Jenny Frost.

And he revealed Natasha has even been to watch a few of his matches when he is playing for Shifnal.

He added: "She likes Shrewsbury and we have been there a couple of times to have meals by the river.

"To be honest, Natasha is totally down-to-earth and even watches my matches when I am playing."

The 26-year-old's move to Shifnal brings him closer to his girlfriend's home in the north-west, following a spell at Midlands-based outfit Bromsgrove Rovers.

Miss Hamilton's career, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since her exit from Atomic Kitten in 2004, although Mr Erraji revealed that she is hoping to re-enter the charts later this year.

He said: "Natasha is about to launch a single in the run-up to Christmas.

"She has recorded some songs that will go into the dance charts."

Mr Erraji, who is himself a former model, said the pair remained unconcerned about the media attention surrounding their relationship: "It has been fine, to be honest and it has not bothered us in any way.

"We have been in OK but we have just got on with it - it is no big deal."