Telford sign ex-Notts County and Preston defender Liam Chilvers

AFC Telford United have signed former Preston North End defender Liam Chilvers following his summer release by Notts County.

The 30-year-old ex-Arsenal trainee spent three months on loan at Port Vale this time last year before returning to Notts to feature more regularly over the second half of the season.

But, having been expected to return to Vale over the summer, Telford swooped.

"It's a good opportunity for me," Chilvers told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"It has been really hard. You start off trying to be optimistic but, the longer discussions go on at various clubs, you just know it's not going to happen.

"It's a fact of life, especially with the recession.

"I'm not the only one. There are a lot of players still out there who've been in the same situation.

"But now I have a chance at Telford, so let's see what happens. I hope I can play as many games as possible."

Centre-half Chilvers has been drafted in as Telford currently have three defenders on the sidelines.

Chris Blackburn and Michael Briscoe both have back injuries, while Dan Preston is suspended.

Chilvers started his career in Arsenal's academy, enjoying loan spells at Northampton, Notts County and Belgian side Beveren before joining Colchester United, initially on loan.

After 139 games for the U's, he then went on to make 107 appearances in four seasons at Preston before moving to Meadow Lane in the summer of 2010.