King’s Lynn Town have sprung a summer signing surprise after striker Gold Omotayo returned to The Walks on a permanent deal.

Omotayo left the Linnets last summer, having made 90 league and cup appearances and scoring 36 goals – one of a number of high-profile departures after Lynn failed to earn promotion through the National League North play-offs.

The Swiss-born hitman joined AFC Fylde but in December moved to Kidderminster Harriers. Ironically, Fylde were the team that went up as champions that season, while Kidderminster joined them in the National League, having thumped Lynn, who had finished second, 4-1 at The Walks in the play-off semi-finals.

"It's really good to be back, and I can't wait to have a good season with the lads, and to once again meet the fans," said Omotayo, 30.

For Lynn boss Adam Lakeland, it's a signing that adds strength up top as well as in defence, where Omotayo is a master at helping his team defend set-pieces.

"I’m delighted to get Gold back to the club," he said. "His last season here saw him score 20-plus goals in a campaign where he was one of the most feared front men in the division.

"Gold is different to our other forward players yet has the attributes to play with them all. He is a fans' favourite and is yet another quality addition to a group which is now looking very strong.

"To be competitive in this league you need goals, and in Gold we have added yet another proven goalscorer and I look forward to working with him."

Omotayo moved to Lynn in the summer of 2021 after leaving Wrexham, but struggled during his time under then manager Ian Culverhouse, failing to score a league goal for the man who signed him. But he got off the mark under Tommy Widdrington and went on to score 21 league goals and one in cup competitions, including a famous winner in an FA Cup first round win at Doncaster.

His arrival takes Lynn’s tally of summer signings to eight and provides good competition up front, alongside Jonny Margetts – last season’s leading scorer with nine goals from 14 starts after arriving in January from Matlock Town - Bartosz Cybulski and Ben Stephens.