Derry City return didn't appeal to Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe who preferred Liam Buckley's Sligo vision

Last season's League of Ireland golden boot winner insists he enjoyed his best moments in football while at Brandywell last year.

And while he was in talks with City boss, Devine and Technical Director, Paddy McCourt over the past four weeks about a return, he favoured a move to Sligo Rovers.

Devine has suggested Derry couldn't offer much more to entice Junior to return to the Candy Stripes and the Londoner, who netted 14 goals last year, admits that a move to the Bit O'Red 'appealed' to him more.

"I don't think there would've been anything they could've done to persuade me to go back," admitted the former Colchester United striker who returns from a short spell at Israeli Premier Division side, Hapoel Hadera.

"I did enjoy my time with Derry and it was a great time for me, one of my best moments in football so far. The fans were brilliant with me as well.

"I had a chat with Paddy and Decky about three weeks or a month ago and at that time I wasn't really interested in coming back to the League of Ireland. But we did have a chat and everything was positive.

"I then had a word with the gaffer at Sligo and he spoke to me about the vision of the club and what they are trying to do going forward and it just appealed to me to be honest.

"I liked the challenge and thought I could see myself there and try something different."

Junior arrived in the League of Ireland last year as an unknown quantity from League Two and he emerged as a fans' favourite, scoring a hat-trick against Finn Harps on the final day of the season to clinch European football for Derry and the top goalscorer gong.

This season he faces a much more difficult challenge as he looks to help bottom of the table Sligo Rovers climb up the table.

He's ineligible for Friday night's clash against his former side at Brandywell due to an enforced 14 days quarantine for overseas players and as he awaits international clearance.

However, he hopes to hit the ground running once he's cleared to play.

"I know expectations will be higher but I just want to help Sligo get out of the bottom of the table and have a positive impact.

"I feel, because of last season, I know what the League of Ireland is all about now and so hopefully I can hit the ground running.

"Right now I'm not sure when I'll be eligible to play but I know I'm definitely missing the first game. I've heard I have to quarantine for 14 days so I'm really not sure. I'm just looking forward to getting back on the pitch."

He was frustrated when the coronavirus pandemic cut short his spell in Israel just as he was beginning to find his feet but he's ready to make the most of his return to Ireland.

"It was a nice experience. I enjoyed my time there and I wish I could've stayed on. I was getting used to the way they played out there and felt I was getting better and better. But the coronavirus cut it short for me.

"It's been a long time since I kicked a ball so I can't wait to get back playing."