The Club is delighted to announce the signing of former Torquay United player Ben Whitfield, with the 25-year-old signing a two year deal at Edgeley Park.
Exciting winger Ben, who is also capable of playing in attacking midfield, joins after an impressive two year spell at Plainmoor that saw him pick up the Club’s Player of the Year award in 2019/20, before helping the Devon side reach the play-off final last season.
He brings with him plenty of invaluable Football League experience too, with over 100 appearances in League Two to his name during spells at Yeovil Town and Port Vale.
Having originally come through the ranks at Bradford City, Ben spent time in Guiseley’s academy until 2014, when he made the step up to join Championship side Bournemouth at the age of 17.
Ben enjoyed several successful periods out on loan during his time at the Cherries, the first of which saw him score six goals in 31 appearances for National League side Kidderminster Harriers in 2015-16 – impressing enough to win both the Club’s and Supporter’s Player of the Year Awards that year.
From there, Whitfield continued to develop, seamlessly making the step up to the Football League during those loan spells at Yeovil and Port Vale, with his form at the latter earning him a permanent move to Vale Park in 2018.
He went on to make a further 33 appearances for Port Vale that season, scoring four times, before leaving the Club to join Gary Johnson’s Torquay following their promotion to the National League.
Several electric performances saw him quickly become a fan favourite at Torquay, as the winger scored seven times for the Gulls in his first season – including a consolation goal against County in a 5-1 home defeat.
He continued to impress last campaign, scoring another six goals, but endured a frustrating end to the season after being forced to miss the play-offs through injury.
With his contract at Torquay up in the Summer, he has now completed his move to Edgeley Park, becoming our first signing of the season in the process. He will now join up with his new teammates when pre-season commences on Monday 12th June.
Director of Football Simon Wilson said:
“Quite rightly there was a lot of competition for Ben’s signature as a free agent, after a very successful season as a key player in a good team at Torquay.
“He is a player we have tracked all season and I’m delighted that Ben has taken up our offer ahead of several other top football clubs. I have no doubt he will fit in straight away with the attitude and qualities of our team, and I wish him all the best for the upcoming years.”
First Team Manager Simon Rusk said:
“I’m delighted that we have secured the services of Ben. He is an exciting player, who has proven qualities and work rate. His ability in wide areas gives us adaptability as a team, and my staff and I are really looking to working with him.”
