Pearce signs to add to Christie transfer.

Luke Pearce puts pen to paper on a loan deal that will keep him at Crabble until early January.

Luke joined Southampton from League Two side Walsall after competition for signature grew due to his impressive appearance for the Saddlers’ Under-18s and development squad at just 16-years-old. He hit the ground running in his debut campaign on the South Coast, primarily playing in the Under-18s but also scoring on his B team debut against Liverpool in Premier League 2.

Luke then signed his first professional contract in the following summer, at 17-years-old, and was an important part of the Under-18s Premier League South title-winning team in the 2021/22 season. He has gone on to feature regularly for the Under-21s before sealing his first senior loan move in January 2023 to National League South side Eastbourne Borough, where he scored five goals in his first nine games.

Luke returned to the same division with a short-term loan move to Torquay United on deadline day of the 2023/24 campaign, where he made four appearances before joining fellow sixth tier side Weston-Super-Mare on loan.

Those of you with an eagle eye would have noticed our other newest addition in the last week or so with Sinn’Kaye Christie signing from neighbours Ramsgate, to bolster our back line. Christie has played for Whitehawke, Margate and Cray Wanderers, but has already forged a good partnership with Jacob Mensah at the heart of the Whites defence.

Welcome to Crabble, Sinkks and Luke.