John Akinde has joined the Gills with promotion on his mind.

There were many things that appealed to the striker when Gillingham boss Steve Evans came knocking - and ambition was one of them.

Evans has spoken about the Gills being bottom of the pile in terms of budgets but they still have hopes of challenging with the best in League 1.

Akinde is looking forward to helping.

He said: “I want to stay here for as long as possible, to help the team get better and get promoted, that is the aim. That should be the aim for every club. I want to help with that journey.

“There were many reasons why I came, playing with the manager before is one, they are doing well, we played here and lost (while at Lincoln). We want to push on and get that promotion we all want.

“I knew that they would be pushing, they are ambitious. I have played with the gaffer before, I know he wants to push on. I came here with Lincoln and saw they were a good side, good players as well.

“I have played with Olly Lee and others in the team, I just wanted to get playing again as well. I thought it was a really solid performance (against Shrewsbury) and we just have to kick on from it.”

Akinde played his youth football in Kent, with Gravesend & Northfleet. He went onto win the FA Trophy with Fleet and earned a big move to Bristol City.

His career included a spell at Crawley Town, playing under Steve Evans and assistant Paul Raynor.

They have kept in touch ever since.

Asked what he liked about the management team, he said: “They demand hard work, they demand quality and that is what I like. They demand that you give it your all.

“I am not surprised Gillingham are doing well because he (Evans) has done well everywhere he has gone.”

Akinde made his home debut for the Gills on Wednesday, with an eye-catching display to help see off Shrewsbury.

“I was just buzzing to get the win,” he said.

“I think everyone did well, we dominated the game, we deserved the win.

“I just want to help the team, if it is goals, assists, penalties, whatever, I just want to play well first and foremost and work hard. I believe I will get the chances and just get into those areas to score.”

Akinde, 30, was partnering Jordan Roberts in attack on Wednesday, a player he knows well. Roberts was on loan at Lincoln City last season. Both helped the Imps to promotion from League 2.

He got 17 goals last season and former boss Danny Cowley was reluctant to let him go when Evans made enquiries about him in the summer. But Akinde wasn’t part of new manager Michael Appleton’s plans going forward at Sincil Bank.

The striker said: “I feel I should be playing and for whatever reason it didn’t happen at Lincoln. I am here now and I want to just keep working hard for the team and help them kick on.”