NEWPORT’S Christian Doidge wants to be the top scorer in the Conference after joining Forest Green Rovers.

The striker, a former target for home town club Newport County AFC, has pledged to bag 20-plus goals after joining Rovers on a two-year deal from Dagenham & Redbridge.

Doidge was one of the few shining lights in a Daggers side that was relegated along with York City from League Two last season.

The 23-year-old scored eight goals and contributed four assists in 35 league appearances, including three goals and an assist in the final three games against Plymouth Argyle, Crawley Town and Bristol Rovers.

Doidge is keen to hit the ground running at his new club.

“I want to top score in this league – that’s my target,” he told the Stroud News & Journal.

“I want to score 20-plus goals. If I don’t score that many I’ll be very disappointed.

“I’m coming here to score goals and make an impact so hopefully I do that.

“I know (Forest Green) is a club that’s going onto better things. They really have an ambition and that’s something I’m really looking forward to being a part of.”

Born in Newport, Doidge started his football education in the junior ranks of Southampton FC and then Bristol Rovers – where he was released as a 15-years-old after missing out on a youth scholarship.

Undeterred he moved to Welsh Football League Division Two side Cwmbran Celtic for a season, before signing for Croesyceiliog in 2010 and moving to Division One side Barry Town as an 18-year-old.

After two seasons at Barry, Doidge signed for Carmarthen Town in the Welsh Premier League where he banged in 19 goals during the 2013-14 season.

A trial with County came to nothing and Dagenham and Redbridge eventually paid a transfer fee to sign Doidge on a two-year contract, despite an offer from Bristol Rovers.

Forest Green boss Mark Cooper feels his side are the right fit for Doidge.

And, despite suffering relegation last season, his new boss is confident the striker will add a cutting edge to Rovers’ attacking intent.

Cooper said: “Christian is a player that was bought to my attention toward the end of last season. He had a few clubs after his signature and we managed to beat them off.

“He bring pace, is hard working, mobile, good in the air, and will be a real handful for defenders.

"Christian is also a good age, still only 23, so has a lot of development in him.

“He was playing in team last year that got relegated, so he had to do an awful lot of work for every chance he got. But coming into our team we know he will get a lot more chances – and create a lot of chances as well.”