Leigh has made a permanent switch to Nyewood Lane after impressing on loan from Sydenhams Football League (Wessex) side Baffins Milton Rovers towards the end of last season.

The defender, whose ex-Rocks favourite dad Steve Leigh manages Rovers, even managed to get his hands on silverware as the curtain came down on the season with a Sussex Senior Cup winner's medal.

Leigh played an instrumental role as Bognor saw off the challenge from Burgess Hill Town with a 2-1 victory after extra-time at Brighton's Amex Stadium last month.

Manager Pearce said: "Ashton has shown great promise when he has played for us and we are delighted to have him on board full time. He has bags of potential he has plenty of desire and is keen to learn. His fitness is good, and I think if we can help him develop his defensive game, particularly one-on-one defending, he is going to prove to be a very good acquisition".