![Nairn County Shirts](https://nairncountyfc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/WhatsApp-Image-2024-07-28-at-20.31.31-e1724849891205-1920x803.jpeg)
Calum Howarth has become our first new signing of the summer. The 24-year-old defender comes in from Forres Mechanics and has signed a three-year deal. Howarth can play on the left side of the defence and rejected offers from elsewhere in the Highland League to make the move to Station Park. He said: “I am very excited and looking forward to getting started. “I have had a few discussions with the club over the last few weeks and it has just been a case of trying to get the deal over the line because of the situation with the lockdown. It is good to get it done now. “I had a few good years at Forres but I am looking forward to a new challenge and hopefully we can get started soon.” Our Director of Football, Graeme Macleod, added: “Calum is still approaching his prime but brings a lot of good experience from his time with Forres. He was part of a team that did well, so to be able to bring that sort of player to the football club is encouraging for us. “It freshens things up defensively. If you look at the players who play at the back, all of them have been with the club for at least two seasons now, so it brings in a bit more competition, it freshens things up and he is a versatile player as well. “Being a naturally left-footed player, he brings a bit more balance to the team, so, all things considered, we are delighted. The manager has been tracking him for a while, so it is good to get it over the line.” Calum started out with Inverness CT at under-8s level and worked his way up through the ranks to the under-20s, where he spent three seasons as a full time professional. He left ICT at 20 years old and joined Forres Mechanics, where he played for the last four seasons. He has now made the switch 11 miles west and agreed to join us until at least 2023.