Weston-super-Mare AFC have made their eighth signing of the summer transfer window as they welcome Ryan Crawford to The Optima Stadium.

16-year-old striker Crawford signs from Bristol Rovers having spent three years at the League One side’s academy after signing in 2021.

He will be named in the club’s first team squad for the 2024/25 season as well as continuing his development with Weston's academy.

After the signing of Crawford, Weston manager Scott Bartlett said: “Ryan is a very young player but one with lots of potential.

“There has been significant interest in him.

“He will be part of our first team squad whilst also being part of our Academy system and we are looking forward to helping him develop.”

Crawford can be considered a local to the Weston area being born and bred in Burnham-on-Sea, attending King Alfred School Academy in Highbridge during his childhood.

He will now be looking to bolster Bartlett’s squad which has already undergone several changes since the end of the 23/24 season.

Weston have lost nine players from lost campaign’s squad with players like Dayle Grubb and Rex Mannings departing the club and others such as Callum Wood and goalkeeper Max Harris returning to their parent clubs after successful loan spells with The Seagulls.

In reply to the loss of some big names and key characters in the dressing room, Bartlett has steadily brought in new talent throughout the summer, with Crawford taking the current new signee total to eight.

Midfielder Luke Coulson became the first new player at the club after signing from Dartford FC whilst fellow midfielder Ollie Chamberlain, left-back Morgan Lewis, and centre-back Emlyn Lewis all followed in May.

Goalkeeper Kelland Absalom joined from Welsh side Bala Town on June 1st to replace the departing Max Harris, a big bonus for the side given Harris’ fine form between the sticks during his stints over the past two seasons.

Attackers James Waite and Nick McCootie were Weston’s two most recent signings before Crawford, with both the attackers re-joining the club for their third spells in a Seagulls kit.

Weston will now look to test out their new look squad with a number of pre-season games, tickets for which can be purchased online now, as they head towards the start of the 2024/25 season.