TOWN have signed Akpo Sodje on a three-month contract with a view to a long-term deal.
The 22-year-old brother of team captain Efe has been travelling with Peter Jackson's senior squad all season.
Since coming to Town on trial, however, the striker's registration has been held by his club, Erith and Belvedere, and he's been unable to play.
He was cleared to take part in yesterday's Pontin's Holiday's Division I East fixture at Doncaster, though, and Jackson is now hoping Sodje can make an impact at the Galpharm.
"Akpo scored in both his matches on trial with us and, while he is still very raw, this is a great opportunity for him," said the manager.
"The main stumbling block has been the fact his club wanted a small fee for him, which I wasn't prepared to pay, but we have now reached agreement and he has signed for three months with the aim of earning a longer contract.
"Akpo has strength and pace and he's a good finisher. We have been working a lot on that in training, along with his general fitness, and that work will continue, but he's got a chance."
The younger Sodje has impressed Jackson with his attitude since first arriving at the request of Efe, who asked if Akpo could train with the club a couple of days a week.
"I know Akpo wants to impress and to score himself a longer contract," added Jackson.
"He wants to do as well as he can in the Reserves, get among the goals and prove he is worth a full deal.
"If he works hard and does well then I don't see any reason why he can't do that and maybe push for the first team as well, but first he has to impress over the next three months.
"I wouldn't have brought him in, though, if I didn't think he had something about him, so the rest is up to Akpo."
Sodje junior previously had two years at QPR before joining the non-League ranks.
