GOALKEEPER Nick Draper has agreed to join Worcester City despite living more than 150 miles from the Victoria Ground.

Manager Carl Heeley had expressed doubts over the prospect of signing Grimsby-based Draper due to travel issues.

But it has been revealed the former Alfreton Town stopper has pledged his commitment to the Vanarama National League North club.

The 23-year-old’s arrival also ends City’s long-running search for a new keeper since Nathan Vaughan joined Solihull Moors in May.

Heeley insisted he was “not overly worried” he would be able to find a replacement for Vaughan, but he said he was “delighted” to get Draper’s deal over the line ahead of the new season, which starts on Saturday, August 6.

“We have managed to agree a deal with Nick,” said Heeley following City’s 2-0 victory over Sutton Coldfield on Friday evening.

“He is committed and he is happy to travel from Grimsby, so we have come up with something that we think will work for him.

“The lad wanted to come and sign for us and I think he has done very well, so we are happy to have him on board.”

Former Tamworth keeper Raajat Gill, ex-Birmingham City youngster Leighton Smith and Alex Connell, who was playing for Haverfordwest County last season, have also been on trial.

But it has been 6ft 2in Draper who has impressed Heeley having featured in three of Worcester’s pre-season games.

He has also been on the books of Lincoln City, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Grimsby Town, but Heeley has now challenged him to establish himself as City’s number one.

“I was not overly worried about the goalkeeping situation as I knew how many keepers wanted to come and trial with us,” Heeley said.

“It was just a case of which one we were going to take and whether or not we could do a deal.

“But I am delighted to get Nick here.

“He is a nice kid, but he needs to play now because he has had some experience, but he has not played a lot of games.

“He looks assured, his distribution is good and his starting position is good.”

Heeley added: “We are going to have competition, but he has done well and he will do well for us.”

Draper becomes Worcester’s fifth summer signing and their first since midfielder Junior English decided to make the move from Solihull in early June.

Heeley has also recruited centre-back Graham Hutchison, forward Sean Geddes and midfielder Richard Batchelor.