COLWYN Bay manager Craig Hogg has pulled off a coup with the re-signing of talented forward Astley Mulholland.

The Seagulls confirmed the news to The Pioneer on Thursday, December 6, with Mulholland awaiting international clearance ahead of his return to the club.

The popular figure was a prominent member of the Bay squad last season, turning in a series of exceptional displays to emerge as the club’s top scorer before he and teammate Jack Hindle made big-money moves to National League side Barrow during the summer.

Mulholland found opportunities limited with the ambitious full-timers during a frustrating time at the club, and he turned down a host of other teams in order to return to work with Hogg and assistant Neil Coverley.

Hogg, said: “We’re really pleased that Astley has opted to return to Colwyn Bay FC.

“It was clear that a number of parties were interested in signing him but, after speaking to the player, he was excited by what we are trying to achieve here at Llanelian Road and he wished to return to work with us.

“We are delighted we’ve been able to attract him and agree terms with the player.

“Astley has been a good servant for the Bay over the years and those performances caught the eye of full time National League side Barrow last season.

“In his last spell with us, he made the league team of the season, producing a good goal scoring return along the way. We hope that he can replicate that form In a Bay shirt again.

“As well as experience, Astley will offer strong competition for places. But the squad as a whole have done very well of late, with many taking their chance to impress when selected and that’s been really pleasing. This clearly has to carry on.

“We’ve also promoted both Jordan Carrington and Sean Sheridan into the first team from the reserves, so the squad now has good depth and versatility.”