Ex-Fulham ace joins United

Elvis Hammond, a forward who made 11 appearances for the Cottagers between 2001 and 2005, has joined United on a month’s loan from Farnborough, reports the football club’s website.

United player-manager Sean Ray told www.hastingsunitedfc.co.uk: “We have signed centre-forward Elvis Hammond on a month’s loan from Farnborough, with a view to extending that arrangement for the rest of the season.

“Elvis is vastly experienced, having played in the Premiership whilst with Fulham in the early to mid-2000s and also helped Woking to the Conference South title last season. He will be an excellent addition to the ranks and his knowledge will only be of benefit to our younger players.”

Hammond was born in Ghana and made one appearance for the African nation during a pre-2006 World Cup friendly. At club level, Hammond made nearly 60 appearances for Leicester City following a £250,000 move from Fulham in 2005.

The 32-year-old scored for the Foxes during an FA Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur during the 2005/06 season and later played almost 50 times for Cheltenham Town in the Football League. He also had loan spells at Norwich City and Dutch club RBC Roosendaal.

Hammond joins Sam Adams and Rory Murphy in having joined the club over the past few days. Ray told the club website: “These signings represent a magnificent coup for the club and all three players will be in the squad for today’s vital trip to Cray Wanderers.

“We had also lined up the addition of a central midfielder from Aldershot. He is on a professional contract at the Recreation Ground and was ready to sign only to be called into their first team squad for the League Two fixture at home to Fleetwood tomorrow. We remain hopeful that something can be sorted out early next week.

“On the injury front, Danny Ellis will be missing today with the foot injury that kept him out of the League Cup game at Concord Rangers on Tuesday. Bradley Goldberg remains about 10 days away from a return to fitness, while Matt Armstrong-Ford should also be back at around the same time.”