THE Basingstoke Bison’s final signing for the coming season is gritty forward Josh Smith who arrives from the Herd’s arch rivals the Bracknell Bees.

The 19-year-old from Frimley Green has spent all of his career at the Hive having started playing there at the age of six.

A very good goal scorer at junior level for both the Stingers and Drones, he made his senior club debut in the 2014/15 season.

Since then he has made 114 appearances over three years in a Bees jersey and last season returned 12 points from 39 games.

He also made his international debut for the Great Britain under-20s in the World Championships in Hungary.

Smith is one of only two players signed in the summer, who have never played for the Bison before, with fellow forward Ashley Jackson being the other.

He is excited to joining the Bison and said: “This is a new challenge for me and Doug (Sheppard) is a get coach who I think will teach me a lot."

When asked of his style of play Smith said: "I am a hard working player who is not afraid to get into the corners. I will do all it takes for the team."

The teenager is starting trails next week for Great Britain under-20s hoping again to be part of the national side.

Talking about the last addition to the Herd, head coach Doug Sheppard said: “Josh is an energy player, who will bring grit and physicality to our line-up. He is a good young player and I am looking forward to seeing him in a Bison jersey.”