Former Bristol Rovers defender Cian Harries has signed for National League side Aldershot Town, reuniting the former Wales Under-21 international with ex-Gas director of football Tommy Widdrington.
Harries has signed a one-year deal for the Shots after being released by League Two Swindon Town who he made just five appearances for last season following his exit at the Mem after two-and-a-half campaigns in blue and white, including the 2021/22 promotion season.
Harries made 56 appearances for Rovers and scored the first goal of that memorable season in a 2-1 defeat at Mansfield Town.
He was first brought to north Bristol during the 2020 January transfer window which was the first conducted by Widdrington alongside head coach Ben Garner and the two have briefly crossed paths in their career before at Coventry City.
Although part of the backroom team at the Mem, Widdrington did manage Harries for two matches as caretaker in between Garner’s dismissal and Paul Tisdale’s appointment in November 2020 and then prior to Joey Barton taking the job in February 2021.
“Delighted to get it over the line and get back working with the gaffer, I’m really excited for this season and with this football club. It’s taking steps forward in the right direction and looking up,” Harries told Shots TV. “When I came through at Coventry and left to join Swansea, Tommy had just joined so I didn’t get a chance to work with him there.
“I signed with Tommy as a technical director at Bristol Rovers and in between managers he took a couple of games and he was absolutely brilliant. We beat Chelsea U21s 4-3 in a belter and we beat Portsmouth 3-1 - both games at the Mem and I remember the football being full throttle, front-foot football that was exciting to play in and I’m sure, for definite, to watch.
“It’s nice to know where I am, I didn’t sign for Swindon until they had gone back in for pre-season and you’re almost playing catch-up. So, to get this sorted, get my feet under the table and get my teeth into pre-season is something I’m excited by.
“I’ve had a few disruptive pre-seasons for numerous reasons the last few years, so this will be my first proper one. So I’m excited to get through the six weeks and be fit and raring to go come the start of August.”
Aldershot finished 18th last season in the National League after Widdrington was appointed at the start of April having left Kings Lynn amid their promotion battle in the National League North. There is another Gas connection at the EBBB Stadium with former defender Joe Partington current club captain.
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