ANDY Thomson, Oxford United's latest recruit, is hoping his move to the Manor Ground will help him rediscover the prolific goal-scoring form he showed earlier in his career.

The 27-year-old striker, signed by United on a free transfer from Southend, made such an impact as a youngster with his 93 goals in 173 league games at Queen of the South that Liverpool and Everton wanted to take him on trial.

However, Thomson opted instead to join Southend for what was then a club record £250,000 - and a greater chance of first-team football.

He said: "I had done quite well and I was quite young and getting a lot of media attention.

"I didn't think I could go much further at Queen of the South. It was a great experience for me to play in the first division at Southend because I could have gone to a bigger club, but the chances were that I wouldn't have got into the first team."

Thomson, who hit 25 goals in 105 league games at Southend, found scoring tougher in England, but he was also hindered by injury, with a hernia and groin operation keeping him out for eight months before he then damaged ankle ligaments. "I have scored a few, but not enough as I should have, even though I was interrupted by injuries and different things, and relegation takes a lot out of the team," he said. "When you are struggling, you don't get so many chances to score."

Now Thomson, who also had offers from Scottish Premier League clubs Kilmarnock, Dundee United and Dunfermline, is looking to relaunch his career at Oxford.

"It would have been nice to play in the Premier League, but I decided I wanted another chance in the English league and to get a better run at it," he said.

"It has given me a great lift and it is a new start for me. I am very happy it has gone through and I am delighted to have joined the club.

"The first division is obviously the main attraction, but I spoke to the manager (Malcolm Shotton) and he has great plans for the club. I was very impressed by what he had to say and that really made my mind up."

Thomson is also looking forward to the chance of forming a strike partnership with United giant Kevin Francis.

"Anybody that high is going to be a bit of a handful," said Thomson. "He dosen't need to jump to win the ball. Hopefully, if I am playing alongside of him, I will play well."

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