Young striker Alfie Cerulli is staying at Braintree Town after agreeing to be part of new manager Glen Driver's squad and the Iron boss has also linked up again with midfielder Adeyinka Cole as his team continues to take encouraging shape.

Cerulli is only 18 but burst on to the Iron scene at the end of last season when the former Braintree Town Academy player repaid the faith placed in him by then boss Danny Searle towards the conclusion of their Vanarama National League campaign.

The youngster had graduated to the first team squad at the end of last season after some impressive displays in Witham Town's first team where the 18-year old played 19 games under boss Mark Ashford.

And he certainly took his chance on the big stage, scoring on his debut in a 2-0 win against Gateshead and then adding a second to his tally when Braintree beat Dagenham & Redbridge.

Driver said: "I've heard only good things about Alfie, who seemed to explode into the first team at the end of last season - scoring twice in the club's last five matches.

"He's certainly got something about him and now he's got a real chance to prove himself as a regular in the first team."

The Iron boss is also delighted to have midfielder Cole on board.

The 24-year-old is a former Blackpool Youth player who has also played for Enfield, Romford and Grays and was signed by Driver when he was in charge at Leiston three years ago.

Cole left Lesiton in the summer of 2017 because of issues with the travelling all the way up to Suffolk from East London but the commute to Braintree should be an easier prospect.

Driver added: "Ade is a talented holding midfielder who was with me at Leiston, having switched from Grays Athletic in December 2016.

"His work rate both on and off the ball is as good as I've seen anywhere.

"This is another good signing for us and I look forward to working with him and can't wait to see him in a Braintree shirt."