Adam Le Fondre is relishing a new challenge in the non-league pyramid after signing for FC United of Manchester.
The 37-year-old had been a free agent after leaving Scottish Premiership outfit Hibernian at the end of last season.
Le Fondre says he held talks with clubs in the EFL but ultimately felt a move to Broadhurst Park was the best fit for this stage of his career and life.
“Pre-season has been quite strange for me,” he told the club channels. “Obviously, I left Hibernian and was waiting for opportunities to arrive.
“It is something that fit with what I wanted to do next. I spoke to a couple of league clubs and a couple in non-league as well, but nothing really stood out to me in terms of the project.
“One of my best friends, Charlie Ennis, is the captain here and one of the main reasons was to come and play with him. It is something we have not been able to do since we were kids at Stockport.
“This gives me the opportunity now to play in non-league and even though FC has a short history, a lot of people know about them and the noise they have made since they have been around. I am proud to be here.”
Le Fondre became a popular figure during his time at Wanderers, scoring against Nottingham Forest on the final day of the 2017/18 campaign as Phil Parkinson’s side pulled off a great escape.
The forward also had a spell in the Australian A-League with Sydney following his Bolton exit, becoming the second-highest scorer in the club’s history.
He now hopes to hit the ground running in the Northern Premier League’s top flight as FC United aim to bounce back from a difficult campaign.
“I met (Neil Reynolds) at Charlie’s wedding and we had a brief joke about it,” he continued.
“It came to pre-season and like I say, nothing really took my fancy on what I wanted to do and where I wanted to end up.
“I asked Charlie if I could come in and train. Seeing the stature of the club and how they try to do things right, it drew me in and I have a good rapport with the group and the staff.
“That was a big draw, the familiarity of it, and I am looking forward to helping make amends for last season.
“It was well documented by the gaffer they didn’t do well last season and hopefully I can alleviate some of the problems they had.”
Le Fondre got on the scoresheet over the weekend as the side wrapped up pre-season with a 2-1 defeat at Southport.
Manager Neil Reynolds is excited about what the veteran will bring to the team and hopes his arrival will help get fans through the turnstiles.
“We are delighted to get it over the line,” he said. “It took a lot of hard work behind the scenes and a lot of people pulling together.
“We said we wanted to bring quality to the football club and it is a statement of intent for all to see. We believe he will score goals and we hope that it will help bring people through the gates and add to that attractive football we try to play.
“We had conversations about what it can add to Alfie’s career at this stage and he is now part of the group. He has trained all summer and looks fit and sharp.”
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