Ebbsfleet’s search for a new centre-forward has finally ended just days before the start of the new season.

They’ve signed Michael Cheek from National League rivals Dagenham & Redbridge for an undisclosed fee.

Cheek was at the club's training ground on Thursday morning and could make his Fleet debut at home to Chesterfield on Saturday.

Fleet boss Daryl McMahon has been after a striker all summer.

He spoke about his need for more firepower immediately after the play-off defeat at Tranmere on May 5 but had to show real patience in the transfer market.

Fleet missed out on Fejiri Okenabirhie, who left Dagenham to join Shrewsbury, and Junior Morias, who moved from Peterborough to Northampton, but now they have their man.

Cheek, who scored 13 league goals last season, will compete with Danny Kedwell and Darren McQueen for a starting place at Stonebridge Road.

McMahon told the club's website: "He’s a proven player at this level, a good age at 26, good physicality and (has) good mobility.

"Technically he’s very good and to top all that, he’s a very good goalscorer! He fits the profile of what we’re looking for.

"We tried to get him earlier in the year and we agreed a transfer in January but he opted to stay then.

"He’d only just gone to Dagenham and he wanted to help them out with their problems at the time, which is admirable of him and shows his character.

"But thankfully we’ve done the deal now just before the season starts."