Dale Eve is hoping to get his football career back on track after signing for non-League side Ilkeston until the end of the season.

Eve has been without a club since leaving Vanarama National League side Forest Green Rovers before the end of last term. The 21-year-old has spent the past few months playing for Dandy Town in the Premier Division.

The former Stoke City goalkeeper will join several other Bermudians at Ilkeston, who play in the Evo-Stik League Northern Premier — the seventh tier of the English game — including Jaylon Bather, Tevahn Tyrell and David Jones Jr.

Paul Scope, who forged a link between the island and Ilkeston in 2013, has backed Eve to reignite his career and believes he possesses the natural attributes to climb back up the football pyramid.

“I just think Dale is far too talented to not pursue the dream,” Scope said

“He’s still young and obviously has all the attributes. I think Dale will get an opportunity at Ilkeston. He should be available for selection for the next game [against Barwell away on Saturday].

“Ilkeston specialises in second chances and he’s in a good spot. He should have plenty of scouts looking at him and I think he has the ability to play in the Football League.”

Eve initially signed a one-year deal at Stoke City in 2012, which was extended for another two years as reward for a string of impressive performances for the club’s under-21s.

He also had loan spells with Fleetwood Town, Nuneaton Town, Newcastle Town and Congleton before being released by the Premier League side.

Eve then signed for Forest Green in February last year. He had previously had a loan spell at the club, appearing in a televised 2-1 victory away to Margate in the FA Cup fourth-round qualifying match.

Eve’s Bermuda team-mate Danté Leverock is also expected to join Ilkeston until the end of the season, having turned down a new deal at Harrisburg City Islanders in the United Soccer League.

The 24-year-old defender is keen to carve out a career in England and is well known to Ilkeston as he had a training stint at the Derbyshire club a few years ago.

“Danté is looking to sign for the rest of the season and see where that takes him,” Scope added.

“He had almost 50 games in the US with Harrisburg and I think that will stand him in good stead.”