TOM King becomes the second player to trade Newport County AFC for League two rivals Salford City.
The capless Wales goalkeeper left the Exiles at the end of last season with manager Michael Flynn, who then re-signed Joe Day to battle for spot with Nick Townsend.
King has now signed a two-year contract with the Ammies and has large gloves to fill. He replaces Vaclav Hladky after the stopper moved to Ipswich Town.
He will now reunite with Liam Shephard after the full-back, who finished the season successfully as a right center-back, made his way to the north-west of England.
Salford suffered a late breakdown last season to miss the second division play-offs but King is confident they can be challengers in 2021/22.
“When you look at the manager’s signings this summer the club is only going one way so it’s a real privilege that they contacted me,” said the 26-year-old Shephard striker Conor McAleny (Oldham) , follows. Defenders James Melhado (Newcastle) and midfielders Josh Morris (Fleetwood), Marcus Dackers (Brighton) and Matty Lund (Rochdale) through the door.
“I had a similar situation when I signed at Newport when Joe Day left. He had won the goalkeeper of the season and the golden glove similar to Vac so it will be a challenge that I will enjoy.
“(They are) big boots to fill, but hopefully I can live up to this position and pick up where he left off.
“The main quality of any goalkeeper should be stopping the shot. I feel like a good goalkeeper, I communicate well with the back four and other guys on the team.
“I let the fans decide what I think they’re good at until the end of the season, but that’s where I see myself and I hope I can complement the team.”
King battled Townsend to start last season, where he set the world record holder with a freak goal after a goal kick at Cheltenham.
He regained his run-in spot and was caught between the sticks for Wembley’s excruciating and controversial loss to Morecambe in the play-off final.
Goalkeeper Tom King has signed a two-year deal at The Peninsula Stadium! #WeAreSalford 🦁🔴
– Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) July 7, 2021
Salford manager Gary Bowyer hopes former Manchester City and Everton goalkeeper coach Carlo Nash will develop King’s game.
“Tom is a great new addition to us, he’s a great character with a lot of potential and we believe he will do well around us,” he said.
“He will enjoy working with Carlo, who will propel him forward and help him develop his game just like he did for Vac.”