Whitehawk have signed a former England under-18 international on the eve of the new season.

Manager Steven King has swooped to snap up highly-rated midfielder John-Paul Kissock from Macclesfield.

Kissock began his career at Everton where he was a member of the first team squad on a number of occasions without making an appearance and was on loan at Oldham last season.

King worked with Kissock during his time at Macclesfield and knows what the player is capable of.

The Hawks boss said: “I have been after JP all summer. He is only 24 and is probably the best signing I have ever made.

“He shouldn’t be playing at this level. He went on loan to Oldham last year and was man-of-the-match against Sheffield United and Rotherham but then got injured and had to go back to Macclesfield. He will be a major player in this league for us.”

A two-page preview of the new non-league season is in The Argus today.