JAMES Knowles has left Bradford Park Avenue to sign for FC United of Manchester, where he will join forces once again with Tom Greaves.

Centre back Knowles has had two spells with Avenue, and a brief stint with FC Halifax Town in between. He has captained the side and scored 18 goals in just under 200 appearances – including a hat-trick in last season’s 4-1 FA Trophy third qualifying-round win over Harrogate Town.

The 31-year-old said: “It has been pure class playing for Avenue and I’ve enjoyed every minute but this is a move that at my age I couldn’t turn down.”

The club wasted no time in securing another centre back as the day after Knowles’ departure was confirmed they announced the signing of Sam Hewitt from Brighouse Town.

Hewitt played in last Wednesday’s friendly against Doncaster Rovers as a trialist and impressed.