CLYDEBANK striker Joel Kasubandi has revealed he turned down Premier League sides Pollok and Arthurlie to sign for the Bankies.

After sealing his move in July, he has now set himself the target of netting 25 goals this season, to fire his new club back to the top flight.

A former St Mirren, Morton and Ayr United youth prospect, Kasubandi dropped down to the junior ranks with Vale of Clyde, where he was a stand out in the Central District First last season.

There was interest in the front man from Barrhead outfit Arthurlie and newly promoted Pollok. However Kasubandi insists he knew Clydebank was the right club for him as soon as he spoke to manager Budgie McGhie.

He said: “Budgie followed me quite a lot over the summer. I had other options, I turned down Arthurlie and Pollok to sign for Clydebank, I was also doing pre-season at East Fife.

“As soon as I spoke to Budgie I knew Clydebank was the club for me to go to.

“When I came down to the club he told me his plans and I liked the way he was thinking.

“Hashim Cole is my best mate and he signed too, I knew Mark Burbidge from St Mirren.

“I’ve had a good pre-season under Budgie and I’ve worked hard, I think you can see that from my early performances. I’m aiming for at least 25 goals this season, any more than that will be a bonus.” If Kasubandi reaches those numbers this season he may find himself with hero status among the Bankies support — he is already on his way with two goals in the first three Sectional League Cup games.

The Bankies support have been excited with the early season form of Kasubandi and his fellow strikers Ryan Holms, Jordan Shelvey and Nicky Little while wide man Mark Burbidge has also been a stand out.

With Ross Harvie also vying for a forward spot, Budgie McGhie has plenty of options to remedy one of last year’s problems — a lack of goals.

Kasubandi has been impressed with the other attackers in the squad and with the depth of attacking talent, he is convinced a promotion challenge is on the horizon.

He said: “The key for us is to get promotion, with the size of the club , that really needs to be the target. We have a lot of young boys and you can see the hunger, everyone wants to do well, there is a real togetherness it’s like we’re all a family.

“The strikers all have different strengths. Ryan Holms is really good with the ball at his feet and likes to run in behind defenders, he is a bit like myself. Nicky Little is good with the ball at his feet and can find you with a pass.

“There’s a lot of competition but I’m looking forward to the season.”