SINCE Aaron Martin's departure to now football league club Harrogate Town in March, Guiseley have been on the lookout for a lethal striker and the Lions think they have just signed one. Former Boston United forward Jonathan Wafula has linked up with their squad for the upcoming season.

Born in Kenya, Wafula moved to the UK at 10 with his family settling in Derbyshire, firstly in Matlock and then in Alfreton.

Extraordinarily, the now 26-year-old had no real interest in football until he left school and went to college where he first started playing the game. He was noticed by Chesterfield scouts and was asked to trial for them in the pre-season of 2012.

He was successful and signed a contract with The Spireites for the following season, but then joined Worksop Town a year later before moving on to Shaw Lane.

Although, Wafula started the 2017-18 campaign at Gainsborough Trinity, he ended up at Boston in the February. He signed for United on the same day as former Guiseley player Jack Dyche, who was on loan from Scunthorpe United at the time.

The Kenyan striker played 27 games in the remaining months of that season. However, injuries sustained in a car crash interrupted his progression last term and he was restricted to only 11 games.

Speaking about his time at Boston, he said: “They played a couple of systems and I was frustrated with the way they wanted me to play. I prefer to play in a front three or just behind the strikers.”

Despite, approaches from other clubs, Wafula was attracted to Guiseley after discussions with joint manager Russ O’Neill, and is eager for the season to start after working hard in lockdown to regain his fitness.

He added: “Russ was the only guy who convinced me. He was the only one who was straight forward and that made it easy for me to choose Guiseley.

“I can’t wait to get started. I was gutted when the start of the season was put back. I am looking forward to pulling on a Guiseley shirt.”