BRANDON Goodship’s hunger to succeed in the Football League is what persuaded Kevin Bond to make the frontman his first signing as Southend United boss.

Goodship has joined the Shrimpers on a two-year deal having enjoyed two goal-laden seasons with non-league side Weymouth.

And Bond is delighted to have brought Goodship, who saw injuries hold him back in the early stages of his career, to Roots Hall.

The Blues boss said: “He’s a young man who has scored plenty of goals.

“He started his career at Bournemouth but had an injury which set him back.

“Bournemouth’s meteoric rise up the leagues won’t have helped him either, but I’ve spoken to the people at Bournemouth and he was a goalscorer for them before getting injured.

“What I gathered, having spoken to Brandon, was a real hunger for a second opportunity to make it in the Football League. I detected that.

“I think what he’s done in the last couple of years scoring goals on a regular basis warrants giving him the opportunity to do it.

“He clearly wants it again so I’m happy to give him that platform and it won’t be for the lack of trying with Brandon.”

Goodship won the Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Golden Boot in both seasons with Weymouth, scoring 38 and 39 goals respectively.

The 24-year-old striker’s goals were crucial as the Terras won the title last term and Bond has backed Goodship to thrive.

Bond added: “It’s a big step up from where he’s been playing the last couple of years but he has the ability and the attitude so, with the right approach, it’s not a jump that is insurmountable.

“Having spoken to him I definitely noticed his appetite to grab it with both hands, so I’m really pleased to bring him in.”