Needham Market have signed non-league striker Steve Holder from Mildenhall Town.

Talisman Holder, who started the season at Bury Town of the Ryman Premier Division, completed the switch yesterday, and is in line to make his Marketmen debut against AFC Sudbury on New Year’s Day.

The Hall favourite is leaving the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division outfit with a heavy heart, but the chance to challenge himself at a higher level, and to play alongside ex-professionals such as Kem Izzet, Ian Westlake and Chris Hogg was too good of an opportunity to turn down as he explained.

“Mark Morsley (the Needham Market manager) put a seven-dayer in for me last week which I was obviously very interested in,” declared Holder.

“Needham are a big club in the area, so the chance to play for them was just too good of an opportunity not to take.

“I’ll miss Mildenhall, all the lads and fans are great there, but this was a move I couldn’t turn down.”

And Holder, who after scoring three goals for Bury earlier in the season, scored a further 10 on his return to Mildenhall – a club he has built his reputation at – is now targeting a Ryman North Division winners medal with Needham, who currently sit at the top of the league.

“There are a lot of changes in football and now my aims will be to try and win a league title,” Holder added.

“Hopefully I can show them what I can do.

“I thought I did well at Bury and a lot of people have said I can do well at this level so I’m excited to be involved.

“When I spoke to Mark, he told me all about the club, and to have the chance to be involved with the ex-pros is one I’m relishing.”

Having changed the system to a 4-4-2 formation recently, Holder is likely to challenge for a place upfront alongside the likes of Michael Brothers, Sam Newson, Rhys Henry, and Ryan Crisp, who is currently out on loan at Dereham Town.

Ollie Fenn has found himself in an unfamiliar forward role of late, but with Hogg sidelined with a knee injury, he is likely to revert to his normal defensive position.

Holder will hope to get off to a blistering start at his new club with a victory over Suffolk rivals AFC Sudbury on New Year’s Day.