The vastly experienced Adriano Moke is the latest player to sign on the dotted line for Guiseley AFC, writes Rachel O’Connor.

Moke, 34, brings with him a wealth of football experience and has long been admired by manager Mark Bower.

Of his latest signing Bower said: “Adriano is a player I have always liked and wanted in my teams. He always wants the ball and gets up and down the pitch. He is very keen to join us and we are delighted as he has so much experience higher up The Pyramid.”

Bower added: “He will really be able to offer help to the players around him and we are happy he is joining us.”

Leeds-based Moke joins Guiseley from Darlington but many of his best experiences came in two spells with York City.

Born in Portugal, Moke twice played in FA Trophy winning York sides at Wembley and also played for The Minstermen when they were twice promoted to the Football League.

On his release from York City in 2020 Moke signed for Spennymoor but he has also played for Cambridge United, Tamworth, Macclesfield Town, Wrexham and Boreham Wood.

A graduate of the Glenn Hoddle Academy Moke described his time there as a great experience.

“I learned so much there and it made me the player that I am. I learned so much both on and off the pitch and it was a great experience learning from Glenn.”

Of his new manager Mark Bower Moke said: “I have played against him and Bosh (assistant manager Danny Boshell) many times and against the teams they have been in charge of. I know what they are all about and I am looking forward to working with them.”

Moke said: “I have always followed what Guiseley were doing, even back in the National League, and of course I have played against them a number of times.

“I see them as an ambitious club and am looking forward to joining them. It is something I want to be a part of, I know a few of the lads from my previous clubs and I think it will be a good season.”

He described the highlights of his career as his Wembley appearances in the FA Trophy and the play-offs adding: “I am grateful for achieving those experiences and I want to use those experiences to help Guiseley. I am looking forward to meeting the fans and having a good relationship with them.”

Moke is in the future looking at taking up coaching as a continuation of the work he is doing as a scout for Leeds United.

In other news, Guiseley will travel to Liversedge’s Clayborn Ground for a pre-season friendly in July as preparations for the 2024/25 campaign ramp up.

The game will be played on Friday 19 July in a 7:45pm kick-off in Kirklees with ticket prices to be confirmed.

‘Sedge finished 10th in the Northern Premier League East Division last season following their relegation from the Premier Division in the 2022/23 campaign.

Former Lions Kwame Boateng, Jack Dyche, Jack Stockdill, Ryan Toulson, Luke Parkin, Isaac Assenso and Keegan Hartley all made appearances for Liversedge last season.

Current Lion Laurence Sorhaindo also had a loan spell with the side back in August and Lewis Whitham won the league title with Liversedge in the 2021/22 season.

It is Guiseley's second confirmed friendly so far with Huddersfield Town visiting Nethermoor on Saturday 6 July.