Bromley boss Neil Smith strengthens his squad ahead of Barrow trip

BROMLEY manager Neil Smith has unveiled the loan signing of striker Corey Whitely, who has made the switch from Newport County until the end of the season.

Whitely, 28, makes the switch from the Welsh club for whom he signed for back in the summer from Ebbsfleet United. He began his career at Boreham Wood before moving to Waltham Forest and Cheshunt.

Whitely’s career took off when he joined Enfield Town, where he would go on to make 120 appearances scoring 46 goals. His performances at Enfield drew interest from Dagenham & Redbridge who came calling in 2016. Whitely would spend two years with the Daggers scoring 23 goals in 66 appearances.

Whitely then signed for Ebbsfleet United before his move into the Football League with Newport County in 2019. He made 19 appearances for the Welsh outfit this season, scoring once.

“As soon as we thought we could get someone like Corey in, we’ve done everything we can to do just that. It’s a fantastic bit of business for us to be bringing in a player with such experience in this league,” Smith told www.bromleyfc.tv

Whitely, who will wear the number 19 shirt, vacated by the recent departure of Reeco Hackett-Fairchild to Portsmouth for a club record transfer deal, added: “I’m delighted to be here! I’m looking forward to my new adventure with this club.

“It’s also good to be back in London, where it all began for me. I must know about eight or nine of the players already, playing with a majority of them and against some too. They’re a great bunch! and I’ve already had a few phone calls from them welcoming me and they’re delighted for me to join as well.”

Meanwhile, Bromley have confirmed that winger Adam Mekki, 28, has signed for their Vanarama National League rivals Ebbsfleet United on loan until the end of the season.

Smith has also tied down 18-year-old third-choice goalkeeper Tarek Najia on a contract until the end of the season.

The Lebanon under 19 international has been at Hayes Lane on non-contract terms this season and has signed a contract until the end of the season.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper made his debut in Tuesday night’s 2-0 home defeat to Gillingham in the Kent Senior Cup Second Round.

Smith has also signed former Dulwich Hamlet and Welling United centre-half Michael Chambers, following his departure from league rivals Wrexham.

Chambers, who will wear the number 26 shirt, made 12 appearances for the Dragons this season, as well as spending a short spell on loan at National League South side Chelmsford City.

Chambers said: “I’m excited to be a part of this club now.  You can see where the club is in the league and the ambitions it has to push on, so it’s good to be a part of that.”

Bromley are without a game tomorrow after they were knocked out of The Buildbase FA Trophy by National League South side Dorking Wanderers and Smith’s side are currently in fourth-place in the Vanarama National League table with 50 points from their 26 league games.

Smith takes his side to league leaders Barrow on Saturday 18 January, the game kicking off at 17:20 and being shown live on BT Sport.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.tv