NEW Weymouth striker Dan Roberts revealed his move to the Terras was the culmination of a four-year chase by boss Bobby Wilkinson.

Roberts, 25, has long been a subject of interest for Wilkinson, who most recently attempted to lure the striker to Bracknell before the manager moved to Weymouth.

Roberts last season scored five goals and claimed one assist for Dartford, but he also has experience for Slough, Carshalton and FC Windsor.

And in his first interview since joining the club, Roberts explained why now was the right time to join forces with Wilkinson in his Weymouth rebuild.

He told Echosport: “Bobby tried to get me a couple of times and it’s been three or four years now where we’ve spoken and he’s tried to get me to play under him.

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“For me, when the end of the year came at Dartford, I knew I was going to go. I spoke to the gaffer and said I needed to play.

“When Bobby came in it was a no-brainer. I wanted to go somewhere where I know I’m going to get more game time, somewhere where they’re going to be competitive and challenge.

“But also, someone who has a lot of faith in me and knows me as well as Bobby does, so I’m really excited to play under him.”

Roberts also spoke of the “big ambitions” harboured by Weymouth, who he described as one of the bigger teams in the Vanarama National League South.

He said: “At our level, it’s probably one of if not the biggest. Obviously, we’ve had a couple of big clubs come down.

“It’s another reason why it was a good option. It’s a big club, they’ve got big ambitions still.

“You can’t take anything from last year because it was a very different situation. Bobby’s now built to be on the right end of the table again and challenge.

“We’ll see what we can do but the size of the club was definitely a big impact on my decision as well as the gaffer and the boys he’s brought in.”

Asked if he believes Weymouth can finish in the top half or possibly a play-off spot, Roberts said: “I’d like to think so.

“The players he’s brought in are quality. He’s brought in some creative players and has got a good balance of positions and also a good group.

“The group will click really quickly. Just off two or three chats I had with Bobby before signing, I know that he’s a winner.

“I’m a winner, I want to win and be as high in the table as I can. There is a good possibility we could finish close to the play-offs.”