Ebbsfleet's willingness to wait for Ebou Adams was the main reason he chose them over Leyton Orient.

Adams finished last season on loan with the O's, who wanted to bring him in from Norwich City on a permanent deal.

But the 22-year-old will play against Orient next season after signing for Fleet on Friday.

Adams said: "I gave myself a bit of time after finishing the season at Leyton Orient.

"A few clubs spoke to my agent but I liked the way Ebbsfleet played last year, how they progressed and got themselves into the play-offs.

"They offered me a deal and they were more patient. That was the main thing for me.

"Quite a few clubs came in but Leyton Orient and Ebbsfleet were the main ones. Financially, Leyton Orient offered me the better deal.

"I wanted more time in the National League and it was a big decision. It wasn't easy because I still have ambitions to get into the Football League but I still need to prove myself and hopefully Ebbsfleet is the place for me to do that."

Adams was in demand as soon as Norwich announced he would not be offered a new contract.

"It was never an easy decision," he said. "I had to wait until the end of the season to speak to my agent and we had to look at what was on the table, what was best for me and where I'd get more game time. That was the most important thing.

"Listening to what Daryl (McMahon) said, Ebbsfleet are a young side, a progressing team and what they did last season put that team on the map. He's a manager everyone wants to play under and luckily for me, I get a chance to do it.

"What they did last season was massive. Maybe if they hadn't gone to extra time twice (in the play-offs), it wouldn't have hit them as much (in the semi-final at Tranmere) but it's a young team and a club on the up.

"I have the utmost respect for (Orient manager) Justin Edinburgh. He looked after me when I was at the club but it was more stuff behind the scenes which probably shouldn't have happened. But it's football and things do happen."

Read more from Ebou Adams in the Gravesend Messenger on Thursday.