ATHLETIC have completed their fourth close season signing after announcing the arrival of former Middlesbrough academy player Matthew Bowman.

The 18-year-old, who has also been part of Hull City's youth system, has penned a two-year deal and Press Sport understands that there is likely to be further signing activity today (Thursday).

Bowman, who can play at either right back or on the right hand side of midfield, left the Tigers at his own request to accept a two-year bursary award offered to him by Repton School in Derbyshire.

That allowed him to complete his A levels, and be involved in their football programme, and went on to play for - and captain - his age group with the English Independent Schools team.

In a statement on their website, the club said: "Having completed his studies, he now wishes to resume his football development, and had a number of options at some elite clubs in England.

"However, Matthew spent two trial spells with our club last season, and it also allowed his family to see around our club and meet everyone.

"Therefore, we are delighted that he sees his future at East End Park, being given the opportunity to develop further in a first team environment."

It is a first professional contract for Bowman, who last season played for hometown team Scarborough Athletic in the Evo-Stick Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football pyramid.