Gainsborough Trinity have signed former Love Island contestant Aaron Simpson ahead of the 2024/25 Northern Premier League campaign.
The 27-year-old, who is a versatile right-back, featured on the seventh series of the hit ITV reality series, in 2021.
Simpson most recently played for Salisbury, where he left earlier in the summer after making 30 appearances across a season at Southern Premier League level.
He has now switched the SPL for the NPL, becoming Russ Wilcox’s latest summer addition in the process. He follows Grimsby Town youth product Edwin Essel and returning defender Cody Collins in putting pen to paper with the Holy Blues over recent weeks.
It was revealed by The Linc sports editor Jamie Johnson, on The Deck, that Simpson was on trial with Trinity, where he has trained and played pre-season games this summer. He has featured throughout Gainsborough’s slate of friendlies across the month of July.
Holy Blues manager Russ Wilcox thanked Dave Horsley and the Trinity board for their backing, when speaking to the club’s website, adding: “Aaron will be an excellent addition to the squad. He’s settled in really well with the group. He’s got good experience at this level, after getting promoted last season with Sailsbury FC. He adds quality, experience and what’s required to be successful. I’m delighted he’s on board.”
Simpson came through the ranks at Wolverhampton Wanderers, spending various loan spells away from Molineux, including at Scotland’s Kilmarnock, Spain’s Jumila, and League One champions Portsmouth.
The right-footer also spent a period of his career at Waterford, in the Republic of Ireland.
Additionally, he helped Sutton United clinch promotion into SkyBet League Two during a season with the club in the National League.
Speaking after he signed on the dotted line for Trinity, he said: “I’ve really enjoyed pre-season so far. Feel like I have settled in really well and the lads have been really welcoming. Having played at this level last year and looking at the squad, I think it will be a really exciting season.”
Gainsborough complete their pre-season schedule with the visit of National League newbies Boston United on Saturday, August 3, before the league campaign kicks into gear just seven days later.