Blue Square Bet South side Chelmsford City have signed former Macclesfield full-back Stephen Reed.

Reed, 25, who has also played for Yeovil and Torquay becomes the Clarets third pre-season signing after Sam Higgins and Sami El-Abd.

Striker Ricky Modeste has agreed to stay with the club, but defender Ben Martin has left.

The Clarets continue their pre-season preparations on Friday, when they host Football League newcomers Stevenage.

They also host a Leyton Orient XI and Bradford City before the opening day of the season on 14 August.

The nucleus of the side is young, hungry and full of desire. I feel they can go one better this year Glenn Pennyfather

Manager Glenn Pennyfather has not had a huge overhaul of the squad this summer and hopes that will stand his team in good stead, after the side missed out on promotion in the play-offs for the second successive year last season.

He told BBC Essex: "There was a massive change around last year, it took a while to settle everybody down and probably the first 12 games cost us."

"The nucleus of the side is young, hungry and full of desire. I feel they can go one better this year," Pennyfather added.

"We've said goodbye to some old faces, that happens in football and it's a natural progression. I'm pleased with what's going on so far, the fitness levels are good and I'm looking forward to the start of the season."

Chelmsford have so far retained the services of 14 of last season's squad, as well as adding the signatures of El-Abd, Higgins and Reed.

Goalkeeper Ashley Harrison, forward Ricky Holmes and defenders Ben Martin and Steve Ward have been the high profile departures.

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