Kieron Freeman has left Spalding United to join Hednesford Town

Former Sheffield United player Kieron Freeman has left Spalding United to join Hednesford Town.

Freeman - who made more than 100 appearances for the Blades - joined Spalding last season following his release from Hartlepool United.

He was an integral part of the Spalding side that overcame a difficult start to finish in their highest-ever league placing in the Southern Premier Division Central.

Freeman - who also featured for Mansfield, Notts County, Derby County and Portsmouth during his professional career - will link up with former Spalding goalkeeper Tony Breeden at Hednesford.

Breedon left Spalding earlier in the season and helped the Pitmen win promotion to the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Defender Sam Cartwright has also announced his departure from the club after four seasons with the Tulips.

Cartwright has played nearly 150 games for the club and was part of the Northern Premier League Midlands Division title-winning squad.

He posted on social media: “After four seasons, my time at Spalding United has come to an end.

“After one league tittle and close to 150 games, it’s time for a new challenge. I’m looking forward to what next season brings.”

Glenn Walker is set to go in for his knee operation next month following a successful fundraising campaign.

Nearly £2,000 has been raised to help fund the operation after the Tulips' supporters' player of the year sustained a serious injury towards the end of last season.

Walker went off injured in the Southern League Premier Division Central clash at AFC Telford at the beginning of April which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

The former Brackley Town player suffered a severe injury, a hyperextension of his left knee, which resulted in complex tears in his meniscus.

The damage is significant enough that he requires surgery to repair it and, with the NHS waiting time being so long, going private and as soon as possible was the ideal option for the utility player.

Walker is also unlikely to feature for the Tulips this season after being part of their title-winning squad which helped them gain promotion to step three of the non-league pyramid for the first time in their history.

He posted on social media: "Thanks to all the staff, players and supporters of Spalding United for the last two seasons.

"We've had one promotion and nearly made the play-offs so it's been an enjoyable time. All the best for the future."

Spalding have already secured the services of Connor Johnson for the coming campaign.

The defender was part of Peterborough Sports' successful rise up the non-league ranks under Spalding boss Jimmy Dean's management.

Johnson was skipper of Spalding's Southern League Premier Division Central rivals Kettering Town last season.

He captained the Poppies to the play-off final where they were defeated by AFC Telford following a memorable FA Cup win which landed Kettering a televised tie against Doncaster Rovers following their earlier victory over Northampton Town.

Johnson began his career at Wolverhampton Wanderers which featured loan spells at Boreham Wood, AFC Telford United, Walsall and Kilmarnock.