Aldershot Town Football Club have confirmed the signing of exciting prospect Haydon Vaughan on a permanent transfer from Bracknell Town.

The attacking midfielder has only just turned 18 but has already caught the eye in the Southern Premier League South, and has signed a two-year deal with the Shots.

After a successful loan spell at Combined Counties Premier Division South side Sandhurst Town during the first half of the 2023-24 season, in which Vaughan scored 17 goals and got eight assists, he was recalled and impressed with nine goals and nine assists as Bracknell reached the Southern Premier League South play-offs.

First-team manager Tommy Widdrington said he's delighted to secure Vaughan's signature.

"It again shows we are looking at all levels of the game, near and far, to add to what we feel is a really good core group," said Widdrington.

"Age is just a number, and at 18 I’m sure many will liken Haydon’s history to Josh’s (Stokes) and though expectation might be greater, we feel he’s different in a couple of ways and should be looked at as a very different addition.

"We of course hope he fulfils the undoubted potential he’s shown so far at both Sandhurst and Bracknell. He’s a local lad who has a great opportunity to kick on in an environment we feel is a good fit for him.

"I’m sure we’ve beaten quite a few clubs who felt they’d entice him but we’ve tracked him for some time and felt doing this early was important."

Head of recruitment Jamie Hedges added: "Haydon is a player that came onto my radar when he burst onto the scene at Bracknell.

"I promptly watched him myself and sent other scouts to watch and all the reports were overwhelmingly positive. He’s quick and direct, a great one against one dribbler, and has technical ability well above the level.

"Haydon is flourishing in a first-team shirt at a very young age and is one we feel has the qualities that translate up the divisions. He's been attracting wide-scale interest so we’re delighted he’s chosen to join us.”