WITTON have signed midfielder Michael Powell after he left Chester.

The 27-year-old, who was also made an offer by Northwich Victoria, completed a move to Wincham Park on Wednesday after agreeing terms until the end of next season.

He could make his debut in Saturday’s league encounter at Whitby Town.

“Michael has great pedigree and a lot of experience for a player of his age,” said Albion boss Brian Pritchard.

“It’s not often that a player becomes available that has won league titles in each of the past two years. I think it’s a coup for us.”

Powell played for Preston North End while at school before switching to home town team Southport as a teenager.

He made more than 250 appearances for the Sandgrounders before joining Chester in March 2011, helping the Cheshire club to back-to-back promotions.

Pritchard added: “You don’t stay at Southport for so long under a manager of Liam Watson’s ability if you’re not a good player.

“Bringing in a player of Michael’s quality, much as we did with Steve Foster before Christmas and then Danny Meadowcroft last month, is a sign of how far we’ve come as a club.”

Powell has spent the past two months on loan at Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North outfit Curzon Ashton after falling out of favour at the Blue Square Bet North title favourites.

His contact at the Exacta Stadium was cancelled by mutual consent earlier this week.

“Michael knew he was not going to play when he came back and to be fair to the lad, he doesn’t want to sit in the stands,” manager Neil Young told the Chester Chronicle.