Pierce Bird joined the Sports on an initial one-month loan deal from AFC Fylde in January 2024.

At 24, centre-back Bird is a former Northern Ireland Under 21 international and played a key part in AFC Fylde’s National League North promotion last term.

The defender got his first big move in 2017 when he signed for Notts County after a successful trial.

During his time with The Magpies he had loan spells with Leek Town, Alfreton Town and Boston United before he moved south to join Eastleigh in 2020.

After a season at Silverlake Stadium, Bird joined King’s Lynn Town before he signed for AFC Fylde in the summer of 2022 for an undisclosed fee.

He was a virtual ever-present for Adam Murray’s side, and is now reunited with his former boss here on the Sussex coast.