The former Manchester City trainee, who has since played for a number of non-league clubs, put pen-to-paper on Saturday morning under the watchful eye of club secretary John Blackwell.

Timms (27) has endured off-field problems in the past but Greene is confident that he has recruited a reformed character and one of non-league's finest goalkeeping prospects.

Greene told bufc.co.uk: "Ashley is a top goalkeeper and we are fortunate to have him because other clubs were seriously interested in his services.

"I am only interested in what he does on the pitch and I am confident he will deliver the goods."

Greene has already confirmed that Sam Vince will act as the Pilgrims' goalkeeping understudy in 2013-2014.