Chester fend off interest to land highly rated defender Jack Kenny

Central defender arrives on the back of promotion-winning season at Avro

Jack Kenny has signed for Chester (MILLIE JOHNSON)

Chester have beaten off competition from a number of National League North clubs to land talented centre back Jack Kenny.

The 21-year-old arrives at the Deva Community Stadium on the back of an impressive campaign for Avro, where he captained the club the Northern Premier League Division One West into the Northern Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

Kenny’s performances had received rave reviews during the 2025/26 campaign and he had been on the radar of a number of clubs, including some in the National League, but he has opted for a switch to Chester and to work under Phil Parkinson, where he is expected to be given ample opportunity to build on his good season at Avro and compete for a centre-back berth on a regular basis.

“Jack joins us from Avro, where at just 21 years old he captained the side and helped lead them to promotion from the NPL Division One West into the NPL Premier Division,” said Parkinson.

“It was the first time in the club’s history they’d achieved that, so for someone so young to play such a pivotal leadership role says a lot about his character and mentality.

“As a player, he fits exactly the profile we’re looking for. He’s aggressive, competitive, a real leader on the pitch and extremely comfortable on the ball.

“He’s got the personality to demand standards, organise people around him and handle responsibility.

“Jack’s a player with real hunger and ambition to keep improving, and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Kenny has had plenty of experience of senior football lower down the pyramid having spent time on loan at Avro, managed by former Chester goalkeeper Grant Shenton, back two years ago as a teenager on loan from Stockport County, a club where he had progressed through the ranks.

The 2024/25 season was spent with Chadderton where he played 50 games before making the permanent switch to Avro from the Hatters last summer.

Kenny said: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be here. When I spoke with the gaffer the decision became a no-brainer.

“The amount of fans and the passion they bring was a big reason to come here, and I’m definitely ready to make the step up to this level.

“Chester was always the number one option for me.”

Kenny is the eighth signing of the summer for manager Parkinson, his arrival following the additions of goalkeeper Luke Hewitson, defenders George Burroughs and Sam Reed, wingers Jefferson Abreu and Kofi Moore, attacking midfielder Dominic McHale, and striker Jacob Hazel.

An experienced attacking midfielder who can play in the number 10 role is expected through the door next week, while another centre back will be unveiled from an EFL side towards the end of June.

Parkinson is keeping his options open when it comes to spots on the squad as pre-season begins, with some trialists to come in, although the Chester boss has been clear that any trialists with the club in pre-season will only be there if there was a genuine chance of them impressing and earning a deal.