Harrogate Town sign Stockport County midfielder Jamie Milligan

Jamie Milligan playing for Fleetwood Town

Experienced midfielder Jamie Milligan has joined Harrogate Town from Stockport County until the end of the season.

The 34-year-old could head straight into Simon Weaver’s squad for the visit to Guiseley on New Year’s Day.

Milligan, who was County’s club captain, started his career at Premier League side Everton and made four appearances.

The former England Under 18s international has also had successful spells at Blackpool, Hyde United and Fleetwood Town, where he made 190 appearances.

He joined Stockport at the start of the 2014/14 season and scored twice in 22 appearances.

Town boss Simon Weaver had been on the look out for new recruits after criticising the performances of “one of two” of his midfield layers earlier this month.

Simon Lenighan and Luke Dean were subsequently dropped for Town’s festive double over Guiseley and Barrow last week.

Milligan joins with Town lying 14th in Vanarama Conference North.