NEW Colchester United signing Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe says he is not fazed by the prospect of making the big step up to the professional game.

The 23-year-old striker, who has been in prolific form for non-league outfit Maldon and Tiptree this season, has penned an 18-month deal with the U’s along with his Park Drive team-mate Ryan Gondoh.

Ogedi-Uzokwe, who bagged a stunning 34 goals in as many games for the Jammers this season, had already been training with Colchester prior to his move as part of their alliance with the Bostik League division north club.

His goal exploits inevitably caught the eye of a host of EFL clubs but he believes the U’s are the right club for him to shine.

Ogedi-Uzokwe said: “It’s a big step up but it doesn’t put me off.

“The only difference is that I’ll be playing against fitter players and it will be more physically demanding.

"But I might be playing with better players as well, which will help me improve.

“I’m determined to do well and be a success and I think I’m at the right age, both physically and mentally.

“There was other interest but I think Colchester is the right club for me.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge – it’s something different and new.

“While I was at Maldon, I was training at Colchester too and I know a few of the lads.

“I’ve seen how a few of their younger players have progressed and they have had five home-grown players in the starting line-up recently, so it’s a good opportunity for me to play.

“I could have stayed the whole season at Maldon but I thought that it was the right time to make the step up and try and do it at this level.

“I know I need to get fitter and stronger but I believe that the goals will keep coming if I keep doing the right things.

“I have to impress in training and show that I’m hungry.

“I don’t expect to go straight into the squad – I have to earn my right to play and when I do, play well and help the team."

Ogedi-Uzokwe started out with Aveley and also played for the likes of fellow non-league clubs Hayes and Yeading and Lewes before plying his trade for Turk Ocagi Limasol for 18 months.

He won the Cypriot Cup during his time in Cyprus but returned to England last year to play for Maldon and Tiptree and says he has relished playing under Jammers boss Kevin Horlock and his assistant, Mark Levey.

“Last summer, I was thinking about playing abroad again," said the forward, who

“The team in Cyprus wanted me to come back but I wanted to stay in England and Maldon was a great opportunity for me.

“The Maldon manager has had a lot of faith in me and believes in me, so it was easy to score goals.

“And my team-mates made it easy for me by just giving the ball to me on a plate to score.

“It’s been a very good season and I couldn’t have written this season any better, to be fair.

“Both Kevin and Mark have had a massive impact on me.

“In training, some of the striking drills they’ve put on have helped me big time so I’ve become a better and more confident player.

“In a way, everything was coming through me in the team and it helped me.”