Ex-Nottingham Forest goalkeeper signs with top flight club
Curtis Jemmett-Hutson of Barry Town United during the warm up Penybont v Barry Town United at Bryntirion Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 16th March 2021.Lewis Mitchell/Penybont FC
Pontypridd United have announced the signing of former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Kane Draper.
The 18-year-old – based in Swansea – was let go by Forest this summer and has now returned to Wales to play his club football.
He spent two years as a player at Nottingham, having joined their academy team back in June 2021. Draper had come through at Swansea City before signing with the Reds.
Draper was mainly a backup goalkeeper to Aaron Bott last term, but will now push for first-team football with Pontypridd. He will challenge first-choice goalkeeper George Ratcliffe and Ashley Morris for the Dragons jersey.
Ratcliffe has so far played in all three of Pontypridd’s matches so far this season and has kept one clean sheet. Draper represents Pontypridd’s seventh signing of the summer transfer window.
Ethan Vaughan, Corey Shephard, Keston Davies, and Owen Pritchard all joined recently and have made their debuts. Jan Maertins and Tyler Jackson meanwhile both underwent trial periods before earning deals at the USW Sport Park.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Curtis Jemmett-Hutso’s return to Welsh domestic football will shortly be announced. He had a trial spell at National League North outfit Blyth Spartans but has now penned terms with Andrew Stokes’s side.
Jemmett-Hutson was released by Merthyr Town this summer, and offers Pontypridd international pedigree, having made his debut for Barbados earlier this year.
Pontypridd have also green-lighted a move for Luke Gullick, who has joined Ardal South East outfit Trethomas Bluebirds on a short-term deal. The 36-year-old has not played a competitive match since October 26, 2021. He ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and has missed a season-and-a-half of football.
