Whitehaven have continued their flurry of signings by adding a top amateur player to their squad.

Troy Armstrong has joined the Recreation Ground club from Kells as coach Carl Forster moves towards the completion of his 2017 squad.

Last week, Forster signed nine players, the most recent being Workington Town forward Karl Olstrum who has joined his Derwent Park pack-mate Mark Shackley in switching clubs.

Forster has been eyeing local amateur talent and Armstrong is the first to put pen to paper following St Benedict’s and Cumbria rugby union star Kurt Maudling who joined last week.

Armstrong, 24, is a quick, lively hooker – especially about the ruck – who provides the option of extra pace and dimension.

Forster said: “Troy is a live wire and his speed and quick thinking will certainly blend in with recent signings.

“He is also raring to go and he very sensibly sees signing for us as a natural progression in his career on leaving Kells.

“It’s nice to see and hear that some young amateur players are willing to commit to the next level of rugby.

“If only we had an intermediate level.

"I know this is something that in the medium term the board of directors are wanting to bring in but, of course, it’s an expensive step and needs a lot of consideration and funding.

“Players like Troy are the club’s future and blending youth and experience with some of our Lancashire players will give the club a great platform to build on.”

Armstrong said: “I’m really looking forward to playing for my home town club and being given this massive opportunity.

“I loved every minute playing for Distington at open age and felt that playing for Kells, where I started out at youth level, was a natural progression as I wanted to test myself in the National Conference League.

“This is another progression from that level and I’m looking forward to getting into training and being in a professional environment.

"I’d like to thank both Carl Hewer and Gary Hewer for their guidance at Distington and both Peter Smith and Mark Ryan at Kells.”

Olstrum’s capture from Town is seen as another positive step in building a really competitive squad for 2017.

Whitehaven’s general manager Amanda Hewer said: “Karl is only 25 and already has plenty of experience of Championship rugby.

“He is a robust player who does not take a backward step.

"He will add even more power and strength to an already formidable pack being gathered at the club by the football committee and our coach."

Forster said: “It’s great to get Karl on board as he is a great character and I’m sure he will quickly become a fans’ favourite.”

Olstrum said: “I am looking forward to next season and teaming up again with Marc Shackley.

"I think the squad we are assembling is great and we will be going all out next year to do the club and the town proud.”