Dan Holman’s shoot-on-sight policy should endear himself to Colchester United supporters.

Former Braintree Town hot-shot Holman signed a two-year deal with the U’s on Tuesday, after boss Joe Dunne had watched the 24-year-old in action several times in the Conference last season.

Dunne is more than happy to give Holman a chance to prove himself in the Football League, believing that the ex-Histon striker will offer something a little different to his League One squad.

“Dan (Holman) came to us to train for a couple of days, before he signed, and it was very impressive the way he kept hitting the back of the net in training sessions,” enthused Dunne.

“I first saw Dan play while he was at Histon (before his move to Braintree in 2012), so I’ve known about him for a long time.

“I watched him early on his career, alongside Dan Sparkes (also playing for Histon, and now at Braintree). He’s only just turned 24 so I think it’s a good time for him to come into the Football League.

“I’m delighted to have signed him, and he has already impressed with his ability, enthusiasm and his work-rate.

“I always look on the Conference as effectively a League Three, rather than a non-league division. It’s a tough league to play in, and Dan (Holman) did well to score so many goals at that level.

“He has a knack of scoring goals, and he has a great desire to progress, and a huge desire to do well,” added Dunne.

Northampton-based Holman netted 13 goals in the Conference for Iron last season, including a terrific run of 11 goals in 14 games following a spell out through injury.

He also bagged 11 goals for Alan Devonshire’s men the previous campaign, so he has already proved that he is no flash-in-the-plan.

Certainly Holman will have to work hard to break into the U’s starting line-up, with the likes of Freddie Sears, Jabo Ibehre and Macauley Bonne all in the strike-force department at the Community Stadium.

But he gives Dunne another important string to his bow.

“Dan will have to find his feet first,” continued Dunne.

“He’s coming from a part-time club to a full-time club, with full-time training. We have to find what his limits are, in terms of football.

“But he’s going to relish the challenge, and he offers me something different, as do all my other strikers.

“I now have four fit and healthy strikers at the club, all with very different strengths. There’s a healthy competition, and I’m pleased with all of them.

“All four of my strikers are game-changers, which is what I want in this squad. Dan likes to shoot, which he has proved even over these last few days in training.

“We are offering him the opportunity to better himself even more. He is a breath of fresh air, and hopefully we will be able to create lots of chances for him,” added Dunne.