D’Andre Wainwright believes that Billingham Synthonia is the right club to help to further his football development.

The 20-year-old striker has joined Billingham from their struggling Northern League Division Two rivals Durham City.

Wainwright officially joined the club last Thursday — 24 hours after making his final appearance for Durham — and his arrival was announced at the Norton Sports Complex at the weekend.

The former Somerset Trojans and Bermuda Under-20 player was in high demand, having scored eight goals in nine appearances for Durham, including a hat-trick on his club debut in a 4-3 defeat at home to Willington last month.

“A few clubs wanted me in the same league and league above,” Wainwright told The Royal Gazette. “But I felt Synthonia was just right for me because what they want to achieve this season, and they have the right coaches for my development that will help me keep climbing the footballing ladder.

“Their squad has a good mixture of experience and youth who made me feel right at home and players who will get me more than enough chances to score more goals.”

Wainwright was recommended to Durham by scouts after being spotted playing for Somerset, and agreed to join the club in April having impressed the coaching staff.

He scored in his final appearance for Durham in a 3-2 defeat away to West Allotment Celtic last Wednesday.

He is now poised to make his debut for Billingham against former club Durham in the league on Saturday.

“I am going to play it like any other game,” said Wainwright, the son of Dennis Wainwright Jr, the former PHC defender.

Billingham are eighth in the 20-team standings, seven points adrift of leaders Carlisle City with a game in hand, while Durham remain bottom with a solitary point from ten matches.

Wainwright’s early-season form has not gone unnoticed by Bermuda coach Kyle Lightbourne.

“D’Andre is not a part of our current senior set-up, but he was a part of our under-20s that went to IMG [Concacaf Under-20 Championship in Bradenton, Florida] a couple of years ago, so he was definitely one for the future for us,” Lightbourne said.

“He’s doing quite well right now, so we need to keep an eye on him and see how he is making out as far as his overall play. He’s scoring goals, so that’s a good thing and long may it continue.”