The New Saints boss Scot Ruscoe believes the signing of Billy Whitehouse from English side Tadcaster Albion for an undisclosed sum will add real quality to his side.

TNS announced the signing an hour before the January transfer window closed on Thursday, with the 22-year-old wide-man committing his future to the Park Hall side.

Ruscoe believes Whitehouse, who began his career at Doncaster Rovers before moving to Yorkshire giants, Leeds United, brings a hard-working attitude to Saints and thinks he will be a big success, now and in the future.

"Billy is quality and he's been on our radar for sometime," said Ruscoe. "But because there was a lot of interest in him from other clubs, I felt it was the right time to freshen up and bring in a player of great potential.

"But he's also been at good clubs already before spending the last year and a half at Tadcaster. We've all been there to watch him.

"We've all liked what we've seen as a player. He's energetic, skilful and hardworking which fits the mould of a TNS player. But he's also a good person; I've done the background checks on him and a lot of people have told me what sort of person he is.

"They say he has a good attitude and how hard he works off the field. The move is good is good timing – it's one for now but also one for the future.

"He gives us lots of options for wide areas, but it also allows other players to move out of those positions and go central, if we need it, and he definitely adds quality to the squad."

Described as a ‘wonderkid’ on numerous occasions, since being released by the Elland Road outfit Whitehurst has attracted serious attention from the likes of Bournemouth AFC, Cardiff City, Leicester City, Mansfield Town and Reading, as his growing reputation has attracted attention from scouts throughout the top football divisions in England.

Whitehurst is expected to go into the TNS squad for next weekend.