Cheltenham Town FC

Troy, 22, was released by Aldershot Town after the club entered administration following their relegation into non-league. The former Ipswich and Rotherham defender arrived at the Abbey Business Stadium this morning and signed a contract following a successful medical.

With Mark Yates currently in Turkey for his Pro License course, assistant manager Neil Howarth was present to welcome Troy to the club and he believes the young defender has what it takes to become a key player for the Robins.

"Troy will be a very good signing for us,"said Neil.

"He's big and strong but he can also play a bit too. We kept a lot of clean sheets last season so that's obviously something we want to maintain and I'm confident he will thrive next to Steve Elliott."

Troy started his career in the Fulham Academy having joined the Craven Cottage outfit at the age of 7 but he was released in the summer of 2009 before being snapped up by Ipswich Town following a successful trial spell. He served under both Jim Magilton and Roy Keane and was offered a contract extension in April 2010. He made his league debut for the Tractor Boys on May 2 2010 as a substitute during a 3-0 defeat to Sheffield United. He was offered another contract extension in April 2011 but he rejected the deal and left the club having made 13 appearances for the first team.

The Croydon-born defender joined Rotherham United in July 2011 as a free agent and went on to score his first professional goal in one of his 6 appearances for the Millers. He initially joined Aldershot Town on loan in 2011, making 17 appearances and scoring 2 goals, before signing a permanent deal with the club. Troy has also represented Wales internationally at U17, U19 and U21 level.

Troy's permanent spell with Aldershot lasted just one season but he made a real impact with 3 goals in 32 appearances despite his team's eventual demise. He was released following Aldershot's off-pitch problems and Mark Yates wasted no time in snapping up the defender with interest high around League Two.

"I'm buzzing to have this opportunity," beamed Troy.

"It's a good footballing club and a well run one too so I can't wait to get started. The club had a very good clean sheet record last season and I would hope to build upon that because I put my body on the line when it's needed.

"The gaffer praised Steve Elliott a lot in the press last season and I can't wait to play alongside him this season because I think I can learn from him too. It'll be good to play with someone who has experience and there will be plenty to learn.

"I want to win something and the club's league standings over the past few years speaks for itself. I think Cheltenham were so unlucky to lose at Wembley a few years ago and they were unlucky again last season but hopefully we can improve on that."