The Newcastle-born midfielder, who was a junior with Sunderland, has been training with the club for several weeks and international clearance has now been granted.

The 25-year-old had most recently been playing for Oklahoma City Energy in the United Soccer League, which is one tier below Major League Soccer.

He spent two seasons with Energy, having previously played for Charlotte Independence and Wingate University, with whom he won the NCAA national title in 2016.

Ross is well-known to Shields joint-managers Lee Picton and Graham Fenton, who helped to develop him during his time in Monkseaton High School’s football academy.

Picton is excited about the prospect of working with the player again.

He told https://southshieldsfc.co.uk: “We’re delighted to bring Callum Ross to the club.

“He is someone both myself and Graham know very well from our time at Monkseaton.

“He has developed into a real top-class all-round midfield player who can also play just as comfortably at the back.

“Signing Callum gives us extra options in those areas.

“He was offered a new contract at Oklahoma but through the discussions we had with him, he has made the decision to come home and help us in our quest for promotion, and also hopefully help us achieve our longer-term aims at the club.

“As well as his skill set as a player, his personality and character are completely aligned with what we are looking for in all our players and we know with absolute certainty he will be a good asset to the club”.