The influential central defender moved to Blue Square North side Gainsborough Trinity after nine years and more than 400 first team games with Matlock last summer.

But Lukic did not take up Trinity manager Steve Charles' offer of a new contract at the Northolme and Gladiators chief Mark Atkins moved in to lure a firm Matlock favourite back to where his career began as a 16-year-old back in 1998.

Now Atkins can sun himself in Florida for a fortnight safe in the knowledge that his two main targets are Matlock players, following the acquisition of Mark Haran last week.

He said: “We're very pleased indeed to have James back at the club. We had a budget meeting at the end of last season when we looked at who we wanted. Our two targets during the summer were Mark Haran and James Lukic and it’s very pleasing to have them both on board and we now have good stability and strength at the back which should allow us to play a more open and attacking game.”

Lukic was a model of consistency in his first spell with the Gladiators and he is intent on repeating the form which saw him collect the fans player of the season award on numerous occasions.

“I'm really happy to be back at Matlock," he said.

“When I left I told people that there would be every possibility that I'd be back at some stage but I never expected it to be so soon.

“I thought I'd done well at Gainsborough but the contract I was offered wasn't what I'd hoped for and Gainsborough have signed two more centre-halves who Steve Charles said would be more than likely his first choice pairing.

“I'm 27 years old now and want to be playing regularly. A few clubs were in the frame for me but Mark Atkins spoke to me and I was really impressed with what he had to say to me and his visions for the club.

“From what I've heard he's a really good manager so I'm looking forward to coming back and seeing a lot of familiar, friendly faces again.”

Atkins paid tribute to both of his new signings and existing squad members as he aims to keep the Gladiators' finances on an even keel.

“Both Mark and James have taken less money than they were on last season to come here so that shows the calibre of lads they are as they believe this club is moving in the right direction.

“It was a long drawn out process with James but we were willing to wait and in the end he's come to Matlock. I would also point out that several of last season's squad that were contract players are now on non-contract terms and all but one so far have agreed to sign.”

Haran will miss four of Matlock's pre-season matches due to a family holiday, returning on Sunday August 9, just six days before the start of the new UniBond League campaign.