Bracknell Bees have signed 21-year-old British forward Tom Smith from Berkshire rivals Slough Jets.

Smith returns to the Hive five years after making his under-19 debut for Bracknell Drones.

As a junior, he scored the winning goal for England in a win over Scotland.He had brief spells with junior teams in Bristol and Nottingham, but has spent all his senior career at Slough.

Last season he scored five goals and one assist for Jets in 42 English Premier League games. He was recommended to Bees by their captain Adam Bicknell, a former team-mate of his at Slough.

Bees’ new player-boss Dwight Parrish said: “Tom is trying to establish himself in the league, and a couple of guys mentioned he was looking for a club.

“Adam said he is a good kid and I trust Adam’s judgement.

“He hooked us up and I liked Tom’s attitude, so we have taken him on board. Tom is going to be one of those guys who is fighting for ice time.”

Parrish has had no time to rest since taking charge at Bracknell less than three months ago.

He was busy moving house last week and is now getting ready with his English wife Nicola for the birth of their first child who is due at the end of the month.

But the American defenceman has still been very active in his new role as Bees’ player-coach.

Smith takes the number of names on the roster for next season to 14 and Parrish continues to talk to several possible targets with a view to filling Bees’ fourth and final import slot.