MANAGER Steve Claridge reckons his latest summer coup, fresh from Southampton’s Academy, has all the attributes to electrify the Salisbury FC faithful.

The Whites boss swooped for whiz-kid Dan Demkiv, who was in-demand among free-spending clubs after he was released at the end of his two-year scholarship with the Saints.

The 18-year-old winger, whose 15 minutes against Forest Green Rovers was enough to secure a contract at the Ray Mac, was unveiled on Monday as Whites’ fourth official summer signing.

Demkiv, who lives in Melksham, joins the likes of already-signed Sam Roberts, Lamar Powell and ex-Downton attacker Brandon Mundy.

“If you wanted to sum up the signing it would be exciting,” Claridge told JournalSport.

“He’s one of those we’re taking a leap of faith with and could excite people, and get people off their seats.

“He could be one of those who’s worth the entrance fee [£8 for adults] alone, to watch him play.

I’m hoping that’s the way it works out as I don’t want to build him up too much because there’s an awful lot of other, hopefully, good players that will come along and en - able him to play that way.

“For me, he’s going to be the one, I think, that will unlock the door in a lot of games.”

The head coach, busy preparing for life in Wessex Premier this season, has had various conversations about the prospect.

Without too much dithering, Claridge, 49, was able to cross him off his shopping list.

He added: “People I’ve spoken to say he’s a really nice lad, he’s incredibly quick and works hard.

“Even the 15-20 minutes we saw of him, I spoke to the left-back who played behind him and he said he was brilliant.

“You could see he’s a willing runner. He’s learnt the game and knows the game. Physically, he needs to get a bit bigger and stronger, we know that.”

“We’ll have to pick our games as and when we play him and bring him along slowly, but he could be a wonderful acquisition.”

Having been an apprentice at the Premiership side’s youth section, Demkiv is desperate to prove his capabilities among some tough-tackling sides in the division.

Speaking after the finer details were complete, he said: “I spoke to Steve and it felt right to come here and push on my career.”

“The club has got a vision to go forward, to be in the Conference and the Football League soon.

“I think I’ll fit in well and hopefully help them get where they want to be.

“It’s a chance to kick on and restart, and if they do what they want to do, hopefully I’ll prove Southampton wrong and keep going up myself and help Salisbury.”

“The vision here is to get promoted this season, keep going and keep playing good football.”