BRIGHTLINGSEA Regent manager Tom Rothery has hailed the "eagerness and hunger" of new recruit Romario Dunne.

The ex-Stanway Rovers forward, who can also play out wide, has joined the Isthmian League premier division outfit on the back of an eye-catching campaign for Hadleigh United.

He has been on Rothery's radar for the last two years and now, having made significant strides and "done his talking on the pitch", he has earned a move to the Taydal Stadium.

“I’ve been speaking to Romario for the last two years and he’s been very keen to join us and test himself at a higher level," said the Regent boss.

"Last summer when we spoke I felt there were things he still needed to do before it was right for him and us to make this signing happen.

"What's really pleasing is that he's done those things.

"Essentially, he’s done his talking on the pitch and got himself in a great position fitness-wise, which is what he'll need if he’s to show his true worth at this higher level."

Dunne's performances earned him the players' player-of-the-year and manager’s player-of-the-year awards at Hadleigh.

And Rothery is delighted to have bolstered his attacking options, with former goal king Aaron Condon having just left the club to start a new life in Sussex.

"As a club, it’s important we have more attacking options this season and that’s something I've worked really hard on over the summer," added the R's boss.

"It hasn’t been easy but another pleasing aspect of this signing is how eager and hungry Romario is.

"He wants to play for the club, do well and show what he can do."