REDDITCH United manager Liam McDonald has hailed new addition Jamey Osborne as the best player in the Southern League Premier.

The Valley Stadium stunned the Midlands non-league world when they revealed that had secured the signing of the highly-rated 23-year-old.

Osborne was a player tipped by many experts to play at least Vanarama National League level, with a move to Halifax Town breaking down during the summer.

The midfielder came through the youth ranks at Hednesford Town and had been a driving force in their efforts to win promotion from the Conference North.

McDonald revealed the disillusioned playmaker was considering putting his career on hold for a year.

He said: “Liam was a free agent and he was considering a year out of football to concentrate on work and family.

“I am good friends with Jamie and asked him to come down and see what we’re trying to do at Redditch.

“I am very excited. If you look at the other clubs in Worcestershire, I feel we’ve definitely got the best player in the league.

“He’s far too good for this level but he’s already demonstrated a great attitude and determination.

"This is an exciting time for Redditch, we’re on the up.”

Redditch will have to pay a compensation to the Pitmen under the Bosman ruling, with chairman Chris Swan set to be handling negotiations.

“The chairman will talk to Hednesford and I hope we’re able to come to an amicable agreement because no-one wants to see a player have a year out of football,” added McDonald.

“I am not sure what sort of figure Hednesford want, but Redditch United are not a club who will spend what they haven’t got.

“A few people have already suggested that we are already talking to other clubs about him, that’s simply not true.

“I feel he needs a season here to help him but he knows he’s at a club where Jermaine Hylton, Omar Sterling-James and Sam Hornby have moved onto the Football League.”

Osborne played in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Stourbridge to book a semi-final spot in the Worcestershire Senior Cup against Kidderminster on Monday.

United then set up a clash against Worcester City in the final at Aggborough on Saturday (3pm ko) by seeing off Harriers on penalties.

Shearer had fired the Reds ahead before Dan Sweeney bagged a late leveller for the away side.

Buy United won the shoot out 3-0, with while George Carline, Jamie Molyneux and substitute Danny Dubidat scoring and Kiddy missing all four of the spot-kicks.

United also take on Pilkington XXX at home next Tuesday (7.45pm ko).