Former Bristol Rovers man joins Lewes - but could squad's 'cherry on top' still be to come?

Widdrington is the box-to-box midfielder Langton was anxious to recruit after James Hammond moved to Eastbourne Borough.

And the 21-year-old brings more Football League experience to a dressingroom in which Langton feels players of that calibre can act as ‘big brothers’ to the youngsters he has introduced to the first-team squad.

The Rooks have three more friendlies in which to fine-tune their line-up ahead of a tough league opener at Enfield on September 19.

Former Portsmouth Academy man Widdrington has National League experience as well as his Rovers spell behind him and is the son of former Eastbourne Borough manager Tommy.

Boss Langton said: “I’ve known Theo for a long time and when I heard he was moving on from Bristol Rovers I was determined to sign him for Lewes.

He played in our pre-season game against AFC Portchester and impressed me then and I know he will do a great job for us.”

Chairman Stuart Fuller added: “Our squad is building nicely and Theo’s addition brings some higher level experience that will also help our youngsters develop. Hats off to Hugo for making this deal happen.”

Langton is almost there with completing the squad and is keeping tabs on one more player – an attacker with Football League experience who the manager says will be the ‘cherry on top’ if Lewes can persuade him to come to the Dripping Pan.

The Rooks are also waiting to see if Tegan Freeman – one of the U18s they have promoted to the first-team set-up – will be with them after a trial with a League One club, something Langton said would be a great experience for him whatever the outcome.

Lewes have two away friendlies coming up. They go to Haywards Heath tomorrow and South Park on Tuesday.

Then they’ll play in front of home fans for the first time since March on Saturday week when they host Lancing – that after a successful crowd for Lewes Women for their Pan friendly with London Bees last Sunday.