Forward Ricardo Rees (pictured) becomes the second player to switch from Southern Premier Division South side Yate Town this summer.

The 22-year-old had been with the Bluebells since early October 2020.

He had been released by Championship side Bristol City in the summer of 2020 having been a regular in the Robins under-23 side.

He had a loan spell with Vanarama National League South side Bath City in October 2018 and with Yate`s league rivals Salisbury in 2019/20.

Merthyr manager Paul Michael told his club’s website: “Ricardo was outstanding at Yate last season, he played predominately as a No.10 but also as a striker.

“He’s quick, he’s got a perfect first touch, he’s tenacious, he works his socks off for the team and is good in front of goal. He’s a Newport boy and as soon as I was appointed, I made it clear that my intention would be to do all I could to bring him with me.

“I’m certain he’ll excel even further here at Merthyr and I’m looking forward to working with him again.”

Also joining the Martyrs is young midfielder Zack Maher.

Maher is a young Welsh footballer who has most recently played as a midfielder for League Two Newport County.

He made his debut for Newport in October 2020 in their EFL Trophy defeat to Norwich City under-21s.

He made his second appearance in August 2021 in a 2-0 EFL Trophy win against Plymouth Argyle but was released by Exiles at the end of last season.

The 19-year-old is a skilful ball playing individual who will be a great addition to the team and one for the future.

Michaels said of Maher: “Zack is a box-to-box midfielder whose scholar at Newport was a little disrupted by injury, but he’s got exactly the traits we are looking for in the type of midfielder we wanted to add to the squad.

“He’s technically gifted, excellent in possession, and he’s very, very fit which allows him to press and hunt the ball all day long, get on the ball and arrive in the box at the right time.

“It is important for me to have the right mix of young hungry and talented players with the fitness & ability to play the way we want like Zack, alongside the experienced players that we have in the squad, and I think that we’re heading towards a good balance of that so far.”