ALTRINCHAM FC is delighted to announce the signing of former United player Danny Higginbotham in a move that sends out a statement of intent to the rest of the Skrill Conference North and also fulfils a career-long ambition for the vastly-experienced defender.

The club was able to confirm one of the most high-profile transfers in their history last Thursday after finally receiving word from the Football Conference that it had gone through.

Subject to clearance from the FA, former Manchester United, Derby, Southampton, Sheffield United and Stoke favourite Higginbotham will go straight into the Alty squad and could make an eagerly-anticipated debut against Leamington at the J.Davidson Stadium today (Saturday).

Altrincham chairman Graham Rowley said: ‘Danny has always said he wanted to pull on an Altrincham jersey and play for us, and we are absolutely delighted his wish is about to come true.”

‘When we heard that the extra travelling in the Conference National was making it increasingly difficult for Danny to continue at Chester, with his other commitments, we sensed an opportunity to pull off a transfer coup that I’m sure will excite all our supporters.

‘We got in there straightaway, because there’s absolutely no question that someone of Danny’s undoubted quality would be extremely sought after, and it really is a statement of what we are about that he has signed and is now an Alty player.

‘It is also an indication of how we have gone down the right path by waiting for the right calibre of player to become available, rather than signing someone in haste. We always said that if we were going to bring a player in, it had to be someone who would improve us, rather than just an extra body. I think it’s fair to say Danny ticks that box.”