Liam Kitching has become Forest Green Rovers eighth summer signing after joining from Championship Leeds United.

The 19-year-old left-side centre-back has penned a three-year-deal at The New Lawn and joined up with the club on Sunday at the start of their pre-season training camp in Devon.

Following two loan spells with Harrogate Town, where he gained promotion from the National League North in his first campaign and made the play-offs in his second.

Kitching said: “I’m delighted to be here and I didn’t have any second thoughts when I heard about the opportunity.

“I came and met the manager and had a look around the club and it’s a really good place and they sold it to me straight away.

“I’ve been out on loan for the past two years and I think it is time for the step up now and really give it a good go.”

Mark Cooper, FGR manager, said: “He is versatile, he can play left centre-back and left-back, is a good size, he can run and has got a good left foot.

“He has got experience of playing in the National League at a young age and is one that we have identified from a long way out that if we had the chance to get him, we’d do it.

“I think it is important that we get some cover for Nathan McGinley and Joseph Mills.”

During the 2017/18 season, Kitching was a regular in Leeds’ Under-23 side, before joining Harrogate in January to gain first-team experience.

He signed a new two-year contract at Elland Road last summer before heading back to Wetherby Road for the last campaign where he made 34 starts.