DAVE Kitson will try to repay Oxford United’s faith in him by helping bring success on the pitch.

The striker signed a two-year deal with the U’s at the end of last month, turning down clubs from higher divisions to come to the Kassam Stadium.

The 33-year-old made an eye-catching debut in Saturday’s 2-1 pre-season friendly win at Ardley, setting up Alfie Potter’s opening strike.

While some observers were surprised by Kitson’s decision to drop to the bottom tier of the Football League, the forward insists United ‘ticked the right boxes’.

“Oxford is a club with real pedigree and has had success in recent seasons – that’s the wave we all need to ride on,” he said.

“Promotion is the ultimate goal, and while every club should be ambitious, Oxford is particularly ambitious.

“The chairman told me some plans for the future, and they are exciting.

“He comes from another successful sporting institution and knows how to bring success to clubs. It’s a move that really suits me.”

Kitson scored 12 times in 37 games for Sheffield United last season, including at Oxford in the FA Cup.

He previously played Premiership football for Reading and Stoke – whom he joined for £5.5m.

The 6ft 3ins forward revealed he had plenty of offers, but it was the U’s that appealed the most.

“I had lots of interest from clubs in a wide range of divisions,” he said.

“Two Championship teams made me offers, but I felt I wouldn’t play much there and would be used more for helping bring on some youngsters.

“That’s not me at this stage of my career, I want to be playing every week.

“Oxford really wanted me. They made a big play for me and I was flattered by their interest. Everything ticked the right boxes.

“There was interest from clubs at the wrong end of the country, but I wanted somewhere ideally which meant I didn’t have to take my kids out of school.”

Kitson accepts some people will look at his age as a negative, but insists it is not a factor.

“I’m knocking on a bit, I know, but I’m certainly not over the hill,” he said.

“I know that I have lots to offer and am determined to do all I can to bring some success to Oxford.”

* OXFORD United play for the first time tonight on their pre-season tour of Scotland.

The U’s will play at Alloa Athletic’s Recreation Park hoping to build on Saturday’s win at Ardley.

Chris Wilder will be without midfielder Josh Shama, who has not travelled after picking up a slight knee injury.