Joachim's signing is a signal of intent to rival teams

Julian Joachim has signed a one-year deal with King's Lynn.

The ex-Aston Villa striker, 33, says he is ready for the challenge of football in the Blue Square North and wants to help the club achieve its ambitions.

"I've had a couple of long hard seasons of late, but I'm feeling pretty good and in good shape," he said.

"If I want to keep on playing as long as I can then this kind of level and the amount of training will definitely suit my body."

After a career of league football Joachim admitted he was looking for a move closer to his home town Peterborough.

And, when the call came from the Linnets he says it was not a tough choice.

"I spoke to one or two clubs but this suited me best as the club are pretty ambitious and looking to go forward."

The King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins expressed his delight at completing what he considers the biggest transfer in the club's history.

"It's magnificent," he said. "Signing a player of his calibre and knowledge has to rub off on the other players.

"We're trying to make things happen at King's Lynn. The fantastic support we had last season told us we ought to do a little more if we could and that's what we're trying to do."

The fixtures have been released for Blue Square North and King's Lynn begin the season with a trip to the other Linnets, Burscough, on Saturday, 9 August.

They face Redditch United at the Walks the following Tuesday, with Droylsden the visitors to King's Lynn on Saturday, 16 August.