Ilkeston Town sign promising youngster Stern Irvine

Irvine, 18, has spent the last two years coming through Notts County’s academy and following his release from the Magpies over the summer, has featured as a trialist for the Robins in some of their pre-season friendlies.

Manager Martin Carruthers said: “It’s great to get Stern on board and he is a fantastic addition to our squad.

“He is a player with real potential who will have opportunities to progress to higher levels. Lots of professional clubs were interested in signing him and it’s a real coup for this club to get him and facilitate his development.”

Irvine is of good footballing stock, with his father being Stern John, who played in the Premier League and Championship for Birmingham City, Nottingham Forest, Coventry City and Southampton among others, as well as being Trinidad & Tobago’s all-time leading goalscorer.