Aldershot Town have signed Australian defender Lachlan Byrd.

The centre-back has signed a one-year deal with the Shots.

The 22-year-old spent last season at Welling United in National League South, playing 50 games in all competitions and picking up Welling’s Player of the Season award.

Starting his playing career in Australia, Byrd moved to Scotland in 2023 and spent half a season with Airdrieonians in Scottish League One.

Byrd, who played 45 minutes in a win against Hanworth Villa on July 16, was a trialist with the Shots in their 2023-24 pre-season campaign.

Aldershot manager Tommy Widdrington said: “Lachlan is a lad we looked at last pre-season and were very close to taking him on board. For one reason or another it didn’t happen and he went off and played around 50 games at Step Two and we monitored his progress closely.

“He personally had a very good campaign and so after a short period of him training with the group again these past couple of weeks, I’m delighted to have him join the group on a permanent basis.

“Having assessed our overall performance last season, it was felt we needed improvement in important areas defensively, and with firstly Luke Jenkins and now Lachie, we have two lads who can play and are intrinsically good defenders first and foremost.

“Added to the guys we retained and with promising youngsters developing alongside those, I feel more confident with what we will have behind the ball this campaign.

“I’m sure Lachie will win the Shots fans over quickly with his heart-on-the-sleeve and committed approach to his work.”

Head of recruitment Jamie Hedges added: “Lachie is a player we had in on trial last pre-season and impressed, and had things been slightly different, he may have signed then.

“But having had a great season at the level below, playing 50 games and winning Welling’s Player of the Year, we feel it's a great time for him to step up and challenge himself at this level.

“He’s a big, strong lad who loves defending first and foremost, while also being comfortable in possession too.”