BM Sports has added Simon Thornton to its growing stable of tour players.

The fledgling Irish agency, which has already signed David Higgins, Niall Kearney and Ladies European Tour stalwart Rebecca Codd, plans to announce several more additions to its stable over the coming days.

Former Irish PGA champion Thornton, the former Royal County Down assistant whose remarkable rise from struggling seven handicapper to European Tour winner in the space of a decade ranks as one of the great sports stories in recent years, had no hesitation in signing up.

Set for the Nordea Masters and Austria’s Lyoness Open over the next fortnight before returning to home soil in mid-June for the Irish Open at Cork’s Fota Island resort, Thornton said: “I am joining BM Sports due to the clear vision they have for not only their company but also for me and where I want to get to with my game.

"I did have other offers but ultimately I believe in what the guys are trying to do and I want to be a part of it."

BM Sports is run by Irish businessman Jamie Farrell with golfing expertise from Colm Moriarty, a former Walker Cup player and Challenge Tour winner.

Farrell is a former Head of Performance Management for Cornmarket Group Financial Services.