McAnuff keen on promotion project

New Leyton Orient signing Jobi McAnuff admits he turned down a stay in the Championship because of O’s ambition to move to the next level.

The 32-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year deal at Brisbane Road on Friday after being released by Reading at the end of last season.

And though McAnuff had the opportunity to remain in the second tier of English football, he was sold by the club’s ambition over other offers he received this summer.

“I just want to be part of a successful team,” said McAnuff. “I’ve had a few offers from Championship clubs, but with all due respect to them, I can’t see them challenging for promotion.

“I’ve been at a club, particularly for the last five years, and at other clubs before, where the ambition has always been promotion.

“So whether it’s League One or Championship, for me I just want to be at a club that’s trying to achieve something.

“Of course the end goal will be to get back in the Championship. I’m proven there, I’ve played there for most of my career and I would like to get back, but I’m really looking forward to this year and winning games on a regular basis.”

Being out of contract was a new experience for McAnuff, and while it has taken a bit of time in reaching a deal, he believed there was a positive vibe about the O’s as soon as he walked in.

“It has been a tough and different experience for me,” added the former West Ham midfielder.

“I’ve never been out of contract before so it was a lot of toing and froing, and going to meet people. I am the kind of person that something has got to feel right.

“The other things are obviously important – the location, ambition of the club and the manager, but I have just had a positive vibe from the moment there was interest and from that point of view it all points in the right direction.”

With less than two weeks before the start of the season, McAnuff is playing catch up with his new team-mates, but having familiar faces in the shape of strike duo Kevin Lisbie and David Mooney is a big boost as he gets used to the new surroundings.

He added: “When moving to a new club it’s always nice to know a few individuals. I know Kevin Lisbie well and I played with David Mooney at Reading as well so they are two guys I know and it helps that bedding in process.”