Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Dowson has fired the first shot in the race for Ryman Premier League supremacy next term by signing Kingstonian star Josh Casey.

The left midfielder penned a deal to swap Kingsmeadow for the Beveree yesterday to become the first new face at Hampton this summer.

Former Aldershot Town youngster Casey, who can also play in defence, played under Dowson at Ks in 2014 and was the manager's number one transfer target once the curtain came down on the league season last month.

"Josh has been a player I've always admired and I'm glad he's decided to be part of what we're trying to build here at Beveree. He'll fit in well," said the Hampton boss.

Casey added: "Dowse was a major factor in persuading me to join Hampton, and I didn't need much motivating to agree to join him.

"He's ambitious for the club and he's not the sort of manager who will settle for mediocrity, and so he and I are similar in that respect."