Striker Adebayo Akinfenwa believes Gillingham are a different club to the one he left two years ago.

The 31-year-old scored 11 goals in 44 appearances during the 2010/11 season before returning to Northampton.

He was released by the Cobblers following their League 2 play-off exit in May and jumped at the chance to rejoin Gills.

He said: “The club’s moved on. I knew that from just speaking to the gaffer (Martin Allen). This club’s always been ambitious but they’re putting that into action now.

“The players here are a good standard and the gaffer’s meticulous in everything he does.

“I enjoyed my time immensely first time around, so it was an easy decision to come back.”

Akinfenwa was so keen to return to Priestfield he accepted a one-year deal over a two-year contract with another club.

He said: “It shows I believe in my ability and in what the gaffer had to say. We sat down with the chairman (Paul Scally) as well. I get on well with the chairman and me and the gaffer seem like we have a good rapport.

“I had a few offers on the table. I had a two-year contract that was close to home but Gillingham was the place for me this season.