Chester have signed promising young defender Ben Lomax following his release from League Two side Port Vale.
Centre back Lomax, 20, who can also operate as a right back or right wing back, has been in training with Chester during pre-season and had made a lasting impression on Blues boss Phil Parkinson and assistant manager Neil Sorvel. He has signed a one-year deal at the Deva Community Stadium, with an option for a further year.
The addition of the 6ft1ins Warrington-born player adds further depth to the Blues backline, which had looked a little light when compared with other departments. George Burroughs, Jack Kenny and Jake Griffin made up the recognised centre back options, although veteran Sam Foley can be deployed in that role if required.
But Parkinson wanted versatility from his squad for this forthcoming National League North campaign, which begins at Chorley tomorrow afternoon (3pm kick off), and Lomax brings that, as well as fitting in with the profile of player who the Chester boss has targeted, players with age on their side and a high ceiling of potential who will benefit from a full-time training environment and the chance of first-team football.
“From the moment we started looking at Ben, he ticked every box in our talent identification process for a centre-back,” said Parkinson.
“He’s quick, athletic, physically imposing, comfortable in possession and has the personality and character that we believe are essential to succeed here. He’s still young, but he has an excellent foundation and, most importantly, a real hunger to keep improving and establish himself in senior football.
“We believe Chester is the ideal environment for him to take that next step. We’re building a young, ambitious squad that wants to play progressive football, and Ben has all the attributes to become an important part of a really exciting back four. His profile fits exactly with the direction we’re taking as a football club.
“We’re ambitious, Ben is ambitious, and we believe this is a partnership that can help both continue moving forward together.”
Lomax has already tasted senior football in both the EFL and in the National League North.
He made three EFL appearances and one appearance in the FA Cup during his time with the Valiants, with his professional debut in the EFL Trophy lauded by Vale coach David Dunn as the best he had ever seen.
Successful loan spells at Peterborough Sports and Redditch United arrived in 2024/25, with Lomax a regular during his 15 games with the Turbines. He now will challenge Griffin, Kenny and Burroughs for a starting berth and provide both competition and cover for Sam Reed on the right hand side.
Lomax becomes signing number 15 for Parkinson, with all additions having arrived on a permanent basis, with the Chester boss not keen to rely on loan players, choosing instead a younger profile of player that he and the backroom team can work with on a daily basis.
The Blues were close to budget with the signing of Ma’kel Campbell recently, while a number of first senior deals were also handed out, as well as the addition of teenage midfielder Alfie Jones-Mellor.
Dan Kennedy and goalkeeper Alex Brown have already left on season-long loans to Vauxhall Motors and Lower Breck, respectively, while there are likely to be some temporary spells away from the club to get game time for other young players in the coming weeks.
The ability to get the deal done and increase the playing budget to facilitate the new arrivals and changes made has been helped by some additional Boost The Budget funds and commercial sponsorship that has since arrived.