Boreham Wood have strengthened their defensive ranks with the signing of former Gateshead man Jamal Fyfield.

The 29-year-old has been a regular in the Gateshead side for the past two season, playing over 70 times and arrives at the Wood with plenty of experience to his name.

He came through the ranks at Leyton Orient where he went on to win the club’s young player of the season in 2009.

Fyfield can play in multiple positions across the backline and has featured in the centre of defence and at left-back.

He has made over 300 non-league outings as well as 42 in the Football League and is pleased to have joined an upwardly mobile club in Boreham Wood.

“I am over the moon to be honest,” Fyfield said. “I have seen the progress that the club has made in recent years.

“It is a club moving in the right direction, with a young manager and young management team, who are obviously getting the best out of their players and I am happy to be part of it.”

After going so close to promotion to League Two last term, recruitment this summer will be key to maintaining Wood’s progress in 2018/19.

Garrard is, therefore, pleased to have secured the services of Fyfield - a player he rates highly and believes will fit into his plans with minimal fuss.

“Jamal is a player who I have long admired, and I have seen plenty of his abilities during his spells with the likes of Wrexham and Gateshead,” the Wood boss said.

“He is a very experienced centre-half at this level - a natural left-footer - and that will give us a nice balance down that left-hand side.

“I think in our set-up Jamal will be one of the top defenders at our level.

“Jamal is a powerful defender and he is very strong aerially, but his experience was a massive plus to me. He is very vocal as well when it comes to organising the team on the pitch, so I am very happy.”

His knowledge of the game is a quality Fyfield agrees will help him with the Wood.

“I think I can bring experience. I have obviously played in this league and I have been promoted from this league and won the FA Trophy,” the 6ft 1in defender said.

“I think that my experience is the main thing I can bring to team.”