LATHANIEL Rowe-Turner believes Chester was the ‘right move’ for his career after penning a one-year deal at the Lookers Vauxhall Stadium.

The experienced left-back, who has made over 200 appearances across both the Football League and National League, has left Torquay United and made the switch to join up with Jon McCarthy’s Blues, their seventh summer signing.

Rowe-Turner made over 75 appearances for Alfreton Town during a two-year spell with the club between 2013 and 2015 where he linked up with current Blues’ assistant player/manager Tom Shaw, who he revealed was a focal point in pushing the deal through.

“That’s pretty much how it came about,” the 27-year-old said. “I played with Tom at Alfreton and we’ve kept in touch and he told me there was interest at Chester at the end of the season.

“So I got in touch with the gaffer and it’s gone from there. It’ll certainly be different having Tom as our assistant manager rather than as a team-mate next year!”

The Blues finished last season with a whimper, losing their final six matches and their final victory of the campaign actually came away at Torquay, with Sam Hughes’ 80th minute strike securing a 1-0 victory at Plainmoor.

McCarthy has emphasised to his new signings how he wishes to draw a line under last season and push on next year with a more experienced squad, and Rowe-Turner – who can also play at centre-half – hopes to contribute to a successful year on the pitch.

“The gaffer has a real plan for how he wants the club to move forward. In the short-term I just want to be able to stay fit and healthy, play my football and help the team move forward and further up the table,” continued Rowe-Turner, who came through the ranks at Leicester City.

“The move was the right thing to do. I’ve been around the National League for quite a while now, I’m pretty experienced at this level of football and hopefully that experience will count for something at Chester.

“It’s a good club, run in the right way, owned by the fans and the fans come out in their numbers to get behind the team. I can’t wait to get going and I’m glad it’s all been sorted.

“At Torquay we did well to stay up in the end as it didn’t look very good there for a bit,” he explained about the Gulls late survival mission, winning their final three matches of the campaign to finish 17th, a point better off than Chester.

“To be honest, there wasn’t really a contract offer there for next season so I’ve been looking elsewhere and it just happens that Chester showed an interest.

“I’ve played against Chester a number of times and I’ve always really enjoyed going there.

“The ground is really nice, the facilities are good, the people seem nice and there’s always a good crowd in there so it’s a good place to move to.”

Rowe-Turner, who has had previous spells with Kidderminster and Cheltenham, has been impressed by the Blues’ summer arrivals in recent weeks, with experienced campaigners such as Ross Hannah, John McCombe, Andy Halls and Paul Turnbull all joining on permanent deals.

“The gaffer has made some really good signings, there’s quality players coming to the club,” he added.

“There’s more experienced lads coming in and that can only help us next season.

“I’ve played against the likes of Ross, Andy and John before, they’re really good players at this level and it’s a good chance to play in the same team as them.”