BRADFORD Park Avenue have signed defender Luca Havern from AFC Telford United.

The 28-year-old arrives at the Horsfall Stadium with a wealth of experience in the top two tiers of non-league after four years with Altrincham prior to last season, including defeating Guiseley in a Conference North play-off final in season 2013-14.

Telford's reigning player of the year made 174 appearances at Moss Lane, with two years spent in Conference North before gaining promotion to the National League with them in 2013-2014.

Avenue manager Mark Bower, who was at Guiseley when Altrincham defeated them 2-1 in that final, was thrilled to signing the central defender.

"Luca is a player that I've admired for a few years now and he has an impressive CV in non- league football," Bower said.

"He has achieved two promotions in the last five years from our division and has National League experience.

"Last year he was captain and player of the year at Telford, so when we found out he was looking for a move to be closer to home, we felt he would be a great addition for us, so we moved quickly to secure his services for next season."

Havern started his career at Stockport County in 2006, scoring on his League One debut before being released amid the financial trouble at Edgeley Park three years later.

He had spent time on loan in 2007 at Radcliffe Borough and Ashton United while with County, but joined Conference side Mansfield upon his release.

However in the summer, Havern returned to Stockport for the 2009-10 season, making eight appearances before leaving the following August.

A spell at Mossley was followed by a return to Ashton in 2010-11 before Havern made a move to the Conference North with Hyde United.

Havern scored three goals in 32 appearances as Hyde won Conference North in 2011-12, but the defender chose to move to Altrincham that summer.

Two years in the Conference North at Moss Lane culminated in a thrilling play-off final victory, in which Bower's Guiseley were defeated by a 119th-minute Greg Wilkinson strike.

The centre back spent the next two years in the National League with Altrincham, but left the club as they were relegated in 2016, having made 133 appearances for them, scoring six goals.

During his time at Altrincham, Havern found the net at the Horsfall Stadium, scoring the Robins' first goal in a 2-2 draw in April 2013.

He then joined Telford, where he was made captain and won the player of the year award after making 40 appearances at the New Bucks Head.