Midfielder Charlie Ruff joins the Clarets from Pitching In Isthmian League Premier Division side Hornchurch.

The 24-year-old had joined the Urchins in October 2020 from Isthmian Premier rivals Potters Bar Town, where he had been since July 2020.

He had returned to Wingate & Finchley in September 2019 from Southern League Premier Division Central outfit Kings Langley.

He played almost half a season for Wingate in 2018/19 as well as being on the books at Hertford Town.

He had two stints with Hertford, separated by a season with then-Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division rivals Broxbourne Borough.

In November 2018, he was called up for the England representative squad that made an ambassadorial visit to the Falkland Islands, managed by England C boss Paul Fairclough.

Chelmsford manager Robbie Simpson told www.chelmsfordcityfc.com: "Charlie is a player we like, and he played for Hornchurch last year, so Adam Drew knows him really well from that level.

"His numbers in terms of goals and assists are great, it's almost a 1-to-1 ratio in terms of goal involvements to starts so that's something we were really looking to rectify in terms of last season.

"He came in for the first day back on Saturday and he didn't have to join in training, but he wanted to so that speaks volumes. He wants to test himself at a higher level and he wanted that to be with Chelmsford, so we're really pleased to get this deal over the line reasonably quickly.

"We're delighted to have him at the club and we're looking forward to working with him."

The Clarets have also signed goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri (pictured) on loan from Premier League giants Arsenal until January 2023.

The 19-year-old signed his professional contract with the Gunners in August 2021 after playing for their under-18 side, and then progressed last season into the under-23s, making 8 appearances in the Premier League 2.

He appeared in the FA Youth Cup for Arsenal in the 2020/21 season, playing four matches as they made the quarter finals.

Last season he played for Arsenal under-23s in the Papa John's Trophy, with Ejeheri playing against Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town, Newport County and Swindon Town.

He is also known as a penalty-saving specialist, having saved a couple of spot-kicks during Arsenal's run in the Papa John's Trophy.

Simpson said: "We've had a few discussions with Arsenal on how we can build a relationship with them.

"We had a chat about us loaning some of their younger players as they like what we're doing at the club, so we told them what positions we were after, and they wanted to get Ovie out on loan, so they sent us a few clips of him.

"We're after the competition for places this season so we wanted someone to fight for the number one jersey along with Jacob Marsden. Jacob had his first season as a first-choice keeper last season and when we brought Kai McKenzie-Lyle in last season as competition, we found that Jacob's performances in training went up a level so it's something we wanted to do for the upcoming season and have that battle for the shirt again.

"Ovie fits that bill completely as he wants to play and get that experience in men's football.

"He's a big, strapping lad at 6'5" so he can dominate his box but as well as that because of his schooling at Arsenal he's very good with his feet so he can play out from the back as well. He's got great power and agility to make saves.

"He's a really exciting signing for us, so we can't wait to welcome him into the building and start hopefully what will be a really good relationship with Arsenal".