Stevenage Boro are on the verge of signing Stacy Long after the midfielder s release from Ebbsfleet. The Kent club have had to half their wage budget to �5,000 a week resulting in the release of several players including Long and The Comet understands th

Stevenage Boro are on the verge of signing Stacy Long after the midfielder's release from Ebbsfleet.

The Kent club have had to half their wage budget to �5,000 a week resulting in the release of several players including Long and The Comet understands the 24-year-old is on his way to The Lamex Stadium after manager Graham Westley beat off several other suitors for his signature.

Long will be remembered by Boro fans for scoring a wonder-goal at The Lamex Stadium during Stevenage's 3-2 win in the FA Trophy semi-final first leg against Ebbsfleet last season.

Long started his career at Charlton Athletic and represented England from Under-15 to Under-18 level playing alongside Wayne Rooney.

After being released by the Addicks he spent a season at Notts County before moving on to Ebbsfleet under Liam Daish.

He was regarded by many at Fleet as the heartbeat of the side and will be seen as a major coup for Boro, who have seen the likes of Gary Mills and John Martin released this summer.

Long would become the club's fifth signing of the summer following on from Charlie Griffin, Yemi Odubade, Joel Byrom and Chris Beardsley.