THE Wingmakers have beaten off competition from another Welsh Premier club for the signature of former Liverpool trainee and Irish Under-21 international midfielder Richie Partridge.

The 32-year-old winger, who can operate on either flank, made three League Cup appearances during an injury-strewn four years at Anfield.

The Dubliner than scored 13 goals from 154 Football League appearances at Bristol Rovers (loan), Coventry City (loan) - where he was voted fans' player of the season - Sheffield Wednesday, Rotherham, Chester City, MK Dons and Stockport County, where he was released at the end of August 2010.

He then joined The New Saints and, in a highly successful season, hit 11 goals from 26 Welsh Premier appearances before quitting with an injury.

The brother-in-law of Michael Owen, Partridge has a first class degree in physiotherapy at the University of Salford, where has a Masters degree in Football Rehabilitation.

He is expected to go straight into the squad for Saturday's visit of Port Talbot Town to the Hollingsworth Group Stadium.