John Finnigan is headed to Aggborough to talk over a move to Kidderminster after his seven years at Cheltenham officially came to an end.

The 33-year-old reached an agreement to cancel his contract – which had a year left to run – at Whaddon Road yesterday, and is free to start at any other club from Saturday.

Harriers boss Mark Yates has now stepped forward with a two-year deal for his former Robins team-mate, and the player has agreed to talk over personal terms with the Blue Square Premier side today.

It is not yet a done deal – an attractive offer remains on the table from Blue Square South outfit Newport for Finnigan to sign part-time.

But the Aggborough club now appear to have stolen a march in the race to land the former Cheltenham and Lincoln skipper.

Yates is today pinning his hopes that he can persuade his old friend to join.

He said: “We are hopeful that we can conclude a deal with John. If we can get him, we will be delighted. He has the experience but he also still has the legs to play league football, let alone the Blue Square Premier.

“John is a good player and a good lad, who would bring a lot of qualities to our dressing room. And we go way back, I even played at the Millenium Stadium with him for Cheltenham.

“If we can secure him today, we will have a quality player on our hands.”

Finnigan confirmed yesterday that it was a two-horse race for his signature, between Newport and Harriers.

He is looking to get tied up quickly, with the opening day of the season just 11 days away.

The player has also started planning for life after football, aiming to study a sports-related degree course at university to follow on from the UEFA B coaching licence he passed last summer.

He said: “They are both good clubs and both local so I don’t have to move away, which is what I want as my family are settled.”

One player who will not be staying at Aggborough is trial striker Rob Elvins, who will line up for Worcester against Harriers at St Georges Lane tonight after signing a one-year deal with Richard Dryden’s side.

Yates added: “There was no offer to Rob and he leaves with our best wishes. I am trying to get something sorted elsewhere in that position.”