BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent manager Tom Rothery has moved quickly to replace departing goalkeeper James Bradbrook.

The shot-stopper is moving onto pastures new, despite a highly-impressive first season with the Bostik League club.

An ever-present during last term's premier division campaign, he scooped two awards at the end-of-year presentation night.

In addition to being named young player-of-the-year, he also made the most appearances during the season – 54.

Within that tally, he kept a clean sheet 15 times.

Bradbrook has now plumped for a move elsewhere but while disappointed, Rothery has moved swiftly to bring a replacement to the Taydal Stadium.

He does not want to name him yet but described his new recruit as "another excellent young keeper".

"It’s disappointing to lose Bradders as I wanted him to stay," said the R's boss.

"I brought him to the club and watched him develop in that time, especially since the introduction of goalkeeper coach John (Albon, who was last season's clubman of the season).

"However, unfortunately, despite trying to agree a deal, he has decided he wants to move on which obviously he's entitled to do and I wish him all the best.

"It's a position I wasn’t looking to change, in honesty, but these things happen and we've moved quickly to replace him as I always believed it was going this way.

"I believe we've acquired another excellent young keeper."

Regent hope to have more contract news to confirm soon, too, having already announced new deals for the likes of Matt Cripps, Jake Turner and Billy Hunt.