HEREFORD have signed Norwegian winger Stanley Anaebonam after fellow forward Ryan McLean signed for Football League side AFC Wimbledon.

After spending two years with the Bulls 23-year-old McLean was offered a contract this season resulting in Wimbledon having to pay a compensation fee to Hereford.

With McLean signing a professional contract with Wimbledon the Bulls have a moved to sign Anaebonam, who played for Stourbridge last season.

Anaebonam started his career in Norway with IK Start before moving to England in December 2016 and signing for Wolverhampton Casuals.

The following summer the winger was signed for National League side Solihull Moors and spent two spells with the Birmingham club.

“Stan is a player we have kept a close eye on for the past month or so and now we have had the opportunity to bring him into our squad, we are extremely pleased to get him,” Hereford manager Paul Caddis told the club’s website.

“Obviously with Ryan McLean moving on – we all wish him the very best of luck with his transfer to AFC Wimbledon – we have acted quickly, but precisely, in bringing Stan into the club.

“Stan has the physical attributes we were looking for in the wide area and possesses great speed and power which we know will cause opposition problems.

“He is a down to earth and hard working player, with an eagerness to learn and get better everyday. We are very much looking forward to seeing him in a Bulls’ shirt.

“He is another player who we know supporters will be excited to watch and another player through the door to help us have a positive, energetic and bright season, in what’s a huge rebuild at this great club.”

McLean scored 13 goals in 81 National League North games over two seasons for Hereford after signing from Newcastle Town.

Bulls chairman Chris Ammonds said that McLean had been open about his desire to move into full-time football.

He added: “Although we had exercised our contractual option of retaining Ryan for another season, he was open and honest with us about his desire to move into full-time football as soon as possible and we completely understand those ambitions.

“While we had previously accepted an offer from a National League team, that deal did not complete and therefore Ryan was committed to returning to training with us.

“However, earlier this week we received an approach from the Dons which matched our previous valuation and as we realise this is a fantastic opportunity for Ryan, we did not want to stand in his way once we had another offer we felt was acceptable.

“I’d like to reassure Bulls’ supporters that the money we have received for Ryan – and the wages no longer committed to him – will be going straight into the football budget for our manager, Paul Caddis, to use as he continues to build his squad for the 2023/24 National League North campaign.”