JOSH Magennis says he was a relieved man when Phil Parkinson came back to sign him from Charlton Athletic, six months after missing out on a deadline day move to Wanderers.

The striker admitted his frustration when a January deal worth around £500,000 collapsed, leaving him to play out the rest of last season in League One.

But fresh from penning a two-year deal the Northern Ireland international – who became the club’s first cash signing since January 2015 – has pledged to make up for lost time.

“I was itching to get here,” he said. “When it didn’t happen I was disappointed because in football everything can move on so fast. But now I am here I’m delighted.

“It was the size of the club was the big thing that caught my attention.

“To top it off I spoke to the manager, his ambition, and how he saw me playing in his team were the big factors (in wanting to sign). It was an easy decision for me to make.”

Magennis has not played at Championship level before but does have 37 international caps, including three appearances at the European Championships in 2016.

Charged by Parkinson to bring some physical presence to his attack, the 27-year-old feels he arrives at Wanderers at the perfect time.

“He expects everything I have got – and not just me, everyone in the team,” he said.

“It’s no nonsense. When you come to work, you’re working and what you do Monday to Friday shows on a Saturday.

“I’m at a good stage in my career – earlier on I played a lot coming off the bench but since I moved down south from Scotland I’ve been looking to progress. That’s what I want to do here.

“I’m looking forward to testing myself. I’ve been blessed to play international football with Northern Ireland so I know the expectations of playing at a high level.

“It’s just trying to back that with consistency week in, week out.”