Gozie Ugwu's first impressions

Gozie Ugwu signed for Dunfermline on Friday 1st August but international clearance by FIFA was not possible in time to allow him to be on the bench against Annan Athletic on Saturday.

Listen to Gozie Ugwu`s first interview at Dunfermline

That however allowed the Oxford born striker to describe how he ended up in West Fife. Speaking exclusively to this website Gozie (pronounced G-Aussie) said it was all down to his agent.

"The more I thought about it I thought it was a good opportunity to come to a big club, one that shouldn't be in this league. Hopefully I will get some games and some goals."

The 21 year old admitted that he did not know too much about Scottish football with his knowledge very limited outside the Old Firm:-

"I do know about Aberdeen because one of my Reading team mates Michael Hector was on loan there last season."

Gozie started in the Reading Youth Academy - the Royals - from the age of 14 and came up through the ranks:-

"I was born and raised in Oxford so didn't need to go too far. I played in the under 21s and made the first team bench a couple of times. It was a good experience.

"I went on loan to Conference Premier Southern team Ebbfleet where I played about nine games there and scored four goals. I got on alright there for my first loan and then I went on to Yeovil for about six months and I scored goals there as well.

"Then I went to Plymouth a bit after but that was disrupted a bit through injury. Last season I was on loan to Shrewsbury for a month and so I have had a bit of experience in the leagues.

"It came as a surprise that I was released by Reading but it is what it is. They had decisions to make and unfortunately I wasn't kept on. I just have to move on and pave another path for me."

Reports suggest that Gozie had trialled lately at Oxford City and at Dagenham and Redbridge.

"I had a few options but I just weighed them up realistically. It is important for me to go somewhere and play games which is what I need. A good run of games and goals - that is what I need at the moment so I think Dunfermline was the right choice for me."

Jim Jefferies has expressed hopes that Gozie will provide his team with something different, Gozie responded:-

"I hope I can bring something different, I can bring my physical attributes as well as my footballing skills. I am a pacy, powerful striker with an eye for goal."

Standing just short of six foot two inches Gozie looks like he may have the frame for scoring a good few goals with his head. He remarked:-

"I would like to say yes but not so much. I am used to playing with the ball at my feet, that is where I really do like it and playing really good football. If I do have to use my head then I will, as I can."

Gozie was stunned to discover that the Pars Reading link up until now was Noël Hunt who had been at East End Park from January 2003 until June 2006. Huntie joined Reading from Dundee United in 2008 and spent five seasons there. Gozie reacted:-

"If I have a career like him I will be very happy because he is a top man and a top player as well. I know him very well."

The new boy has already met his possible striking partners in training on Thursday and Friday since he came north, he added:-

"They are really good strikers, they look like they know what they are doing and they have very good fundamentals of the game. I would like to form a really good partnership with them."

Gozie was looking forward to playing on Saturday but was disappointed that he had to wait until the international check had been completed. Commenting after the match, Manager Jim Jefferies suggested his new signing might make the bench for Tuesday night's Petrofac Training Cup.