Duo join Rushden & Diamonds as Kurt Robinson re-signs

Robinson is a product of the Ipswich youth academy

Rushden & Diamonds have agreed to sign midfielders Joe Keehan and Matthew Johnson while defender Kurt Robinson has extended his deal.

Attacking midfielder Keehan, 23, arrives from Lewes where he scored 19 goals this season for the Blue Square Premier outfit.

Johnson, 20, joins from Ryman Premier side Aveley.

Robinson, 20, came to Nene Park on loan from Ipswich in January 2009 before signing permanently that summer.

Former Crawley player Keehan joined Lewes in 2008 after appearing for Eastbourne and Worthing.

He's an all action, competitive, combative, strong in the tackle, six foot plus midfield player

Rushden manager Justin Edinburgh on new signing Matt Johnson

"Nineteen goals this season in a team that only just stayed up, with nine last year in a Conference side that went down. I think that speaks for itself," said Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh.

"A midfield player that gets that many goals from midfield is without a doubt a good player."

Johnson won promotion to the Ryman Premier with Aveley in 2009 and then helped the Essex side to a third place finish this season.

"Matt won the clean sweep of almost everything last year in terms of the club awards, manager's player of the season and supporters' player of the season," added Edinburgh.

"He's an all action, competitive, combative, strong in the tackle, six foot plus midfield player."