AFC Telford sign Ryan Valentine

AFC Telford United today completed their fifth summer signing – snapping up former Wrexham defender Ryan Valentine.

The 28-year-old full-back has made over 300 Football League appearances, having also played for clubs including Darlington and, most recently, Hereford United.

A former Wales under-21 international, Valentine has signed a one-year contract to cover the Bucks' debut season in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Meanwhile, former Telford striker Tyrone Barnett has joined Football League newcomers Crawley Town – in a deal believed to be worth £150,000.

The 25-year-old joined the Bucks from Rushall Olympic early in the 2006-07 campaign but was released by then-manager Rob Smith at the end of the season.

He scored three goals in 11 appearances for Telford and looked destined for a career in non-League when he joined Willenhall after leaving Shropshire.

But a prolific spell at Noose Lane followed by 40 goals in 81 appearances at Hednesford saw him leap into the League with Macclesfield last season.

And 13 goals for the struggling Silkmen in his debut year as a professional was enough to persuade big-spending Crawley to sign him for their bow in League Two.

The Birmingham-based hitman is one of only a handful of former AFC Telford players to go on to play in the Football League.

Others include Duane Courtney, who joined Burnley in a £27,000 deal, and Kyle Perry – who went to Port Vale via Chasetown.

Courtney and Perry are now team-mates at Telford's Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Tamworth.

By CHRIS HUDSON