The Hatters have signed Fraser Franks from Welling United
The Hatters have completed the signing of Welling United’s England C international defender Fraser Franks for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old centre-half has signed a contract at Kenilworth Road until 2015 and becomes the Town’s first permanent signing of the January transfer window.
Franks began his career in the youth ranks at Chelsea before he moved to Brentford where he signed his first professional contract in 2008.
Having failed to break into the Bees’ first team, the young defender moved to AFC Wimbledon in 2010 and was a regular in the Wombles’ side until he was sidelined by injury. He was still part of the squad, however, that beat the Town in the Play-Off final in 2011.
In 2012 he moved to Welling and in his first season at Park View Road played a major role in helping the Wings storm to the Conference South title last season. He was subsequently named in the Conference South team of the season by his fellow professionals.
His form for Welling saw him called-up to the England C side in the summer and he made his debut in the Three Lions’ 6-1 win over Bermuda in June. In his second cap for England C he scored in the 2-2 draw against the Czech Republic.
This season Franks has been a regular at the heart of the Wings defence but unfortunately was sent-off in the Hatters’ 2-1 win over Welling in November.
Franks has allocated squad number 2, but will not be able to play for the Town in Saturday's game with Wrexham.