Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has added more pace to his squad by capturing former Arsenal trainee Jeffrey Monakana on a one and a half year deal.

The 23-year-old skillful midfielder, who has had spells with Preston North End, Brighton and Aberdeen, has recently returned to the UK following a stint with Romanian side FC Voluntari.

Doswell has been keen to add more attacking guile to the side following the recent departure of Ross Stearn to National League rivals Eastleigh.

The United boss told the club's website: "He's very quick, strong physically and has already played over 50 games in League One for Preston, before signing for Brighton in the Championship for an undisclosed fee.

"Having asked to be released from his contract this summer, he joined Romanian Premier League club FC Voluntari but now has decided to come back to England to kickstart his career."

Monakana will already be familar with some of his new team-mates having played with current United strikers Matt Tubbs and Craig McAllister during a loan spell with Crawley Town, while fellow midfielders Craig Eastmond and Roarie Deacon know him from their Arsenal days.

There's further good news for Sutton supporters, their new man is not cup-tied for the FA Cup clash with Wimbledon on January 7.

United go into the Christmas schedule full of festive cheer having overcome Wrexham at a foggy Gander Green Lane last Saturday.

The U’s won a close encounter 1-0 thanks to a goal in the fourth minute. Kevin Amankwaah’s long throw from the right was flick into the path of defender Martin Riley who diverted the ball into his own net from close range.

Sutton were by far the more industrious of the two sides and had several chances to increase their lead through Tubbs and Deacon who once again looked dangerous whenever he had the ball at his feet.

Deacon caught the eye once again with several weaving runs at the Wrexham defence and a shot from 25 yards which stung the palms of goalkeeper Shwan Jalal. Tubbs tried an audacious chip from a similar distance which had Jalal scurrying across his goal to push the ball away.

The Welsh side’s best chance fell to Jordan White in the last seconds but he couldn’t direct his close-range header on target as Sutton’s defence stood firm.

Doswell was naturally delighted with the three points. He told SUFCtv: “That’s four Saturday wins on the trot now, what with Aldershot, Cheltenham, Bath and now Wrexham.

“If you look at this club today, there were 1,600 people at the game, we’ve beaten a famous ex-league club and it shows how far we’ve come over the past year.”

Doswell’s men now turn their attentions to two crunch derby clashes with Bromley over the festive period. The U’s travel to Hayes Lane on Boxing Day before the hosting the Kent club at the Borough Sports Ground on New Year’s Day (both kick-offs 3pm).

Meanwhile, the last few tickets for the big FA Cup Third Round tie with League One side Wimbledon were snapped up earlier this week.

Due to their involvement in the cup, United’s match at National League high fliers Tranmere Rovers has been rearranged for Tuesday, February 7.