Ebbsfleet United have today secured the permanent signing of 19-year-old defender Reiss Greenidge.

The 6ft 5in central defender was most recently with Port Vale and Ipswich Town U21s on loan, but came through the Arsenal academy before joining West Bromwich Albion in 2013. An adaptable player, he can also operate as a left-back, and in his time in the West Brom U18 side attracted the attentions of Chelsea and clubs in Germany.

This season, Reiss – the grandson of West Indies and Hampshire cricketer Gordon Greenidge – has trialled with Watford, AFC Wimbledon and Crystal Palace, playing in those sides’ U21 teams, and Fleet boss Daryl McMahon regards him as a definite future prospect.