NORTHWICH Victoria have announced the signing of versatile defender Joe Camozzi from North West Counties League rivals City of Liverpool.

The 25-year-old, captain for the promoted Purps in the Premier Division last season, is the first new recruit of the summer for manager Steve Wilkes.

He won’t be the last.

“To sign somebody with his credentials shows we mean business,” said the Vics boss.

Camozzi made close to 50 appearances last term for City of Liverpool, who finished fourth.

He was part of a team that secured promotion, via the play-offs, during the previous season as well as helping them to victory in two cup finals.

Before that, he had spent four years with Burscough.

Camozzi, on the books at Fleetwood Town as a professional while he was a teenager, is no stranger to Northwich.

He signed for Vics in the summer of 2011 after impressing then manager Andy Preece, but did not make an appearance in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight for the club.