DENNY Johnstone has revealed he snubbed a number of other options in order to sign for Colchester United.

The 21-year-old striker met his new U’s team-mates for the first time yesterday after joining them on a two-year deal from Championship club Birmingham City, for an undisclosed fee.

Johnstone was a prolific goalscorer in the Scottish Championship last season, hitting the net an impressive 17 times in league and cup games while on loan at Morton.

That prompted interest from the likes of Dundee United in his services but the Scotland under-19 international, who had a year remaining on his deal at St Andrews, says the U’s were his number one choice.

Johnstone told the Daily Gazette: “It’s something that happened very quickly.

“I first heard about Colchester’s interest about ten days ago and things moved on from there.

“The whole summer I was a Birmingham City player and I was assuming I’d be back there but I felt this was the best move for me.

“I hope in the future I’ll play at a high level again but at this point in time, I’m looking forward to playing well for Colchester.

“I had a good few other options this summer but this was the one that was my favourite.

“The main selling point for me was that Colchester are a club looking to progress and they have a lot of young players looking to do well.

“My main objective is to improve as a player and I believe that Colchester can help me to do that.

“That’s the main thing that I’m looking for.”

Johnstone came through Celtic’s academy before signing for Championship side Birmingham City on a three-year deal, in 2014.

The six foot two inch striker has also since had loan spells at Macclesfield Town, Cheltenham Town and Burton Albion, whom he helped win the League One title in 2015.

“When I spent a bit of time at Burton Albion, I saw what it was like for a squad to be promoted from League Two," added Johnstone.

“I think that experience will stand me in good stead at Colchester.

“League Two is a very physical league and there are some big teams in there.”

Colchester had been looking to bolster their attacking options, following the departure of the likes of George Moncur and Gavin Massey along with loanee, Elliot Lee.

Johnstone joins Luke Prosser and Ben Wyatt in joining the U’s this summer and the club are set to further strengthen their squad in the coming days, as they prepare for their first League Two campaign since 1998.

FACTFILE

NAME – DENNY JOHNSTONE

BORN – DUMFRIES, SCOTLAND

HEIGHT – 6FT 2IN

AGE – 21

CAREER APPEARANCES TO DATE: 65

CAREER GOALS TO DATE: 22

FORMER CLUBS – CELTIC, BIRMINGHAM CITY, MACCLESFIELD TOWN (LOAN), CHELTENHAM TOWN (LOAN), BURTON ALBION (LOAN), GREENOCK MORTON (LOAN).

INTERNATIONAL HONOURS – SCOTLAND UNDER-19, UNDER-18, UNDER-17 UNDER-16