STRIKER Iffy Onuora says he was bemused by Gillingham's late bid to re-sign him before he pledged his future to Sheffield United.

Onuora confirmed that Gills made a last-gasp effort to re-sign him, which surprised the 34-year-old because the club had months to sort it out before he became a free agent.

But now his decision is made, he says he is looking forward to life at Bramall Lane and the chance to team up again with another former Gillingham favourite Carl Asaba.

Onuora said: “I had been in talks with Neil Warnock since the start of the week and having had time to contemplate my decision and train with the lads, I was delighted to sign.

“Having worked with Neil before at Huddersfield I know how he operates and I’m confident I will fit into his plans and play my part when our new campaign kicks off in August.

“Gillingham came in with a bid to re-sign me at the last minute but having come up to Bramall Lane I felt I owed it to the manager and the club to seriously consider their offer and to sign.

“I was bemused by the Gillingham approach as they'd had since April to sort out a new deal but I leave with very good memories, particularly the fans, and I hope they go from strength to strength under Andy Hessenthaler next season.”

He added that he and Asaba could be as dangerous as they were together at Gillingham. He stressed: “Now a new chapter opens for me and it's great to know I'm staying in the First Division. You only have to look around the stadium to see that this is a club with bags of potential.

“I'm also looking forward to linking up with my good friend Carl Asaba in attack. We formed a good partnership at Gillingham and we'll be looking to rekindle that over the coming season.”

Hessenthaler admitted that he was “gutted” to lose Onuora but said that it was for personal reasons that the former Gills man had moved north.

He said: “I thought we offered him a very good deal, better than Sheffield United, but it’s for personal reasons that he has decided to go back north. He goes with our best wishes because he has been fantastic at this football club and if I ever had a chance to work with him again, I'd like to do that.”

Gills will continue their pre-season training schedule at the place where England were based for France '98. A squad of 23 players will travel to Le Baule in southern Brittany and meet new signing Rod Wallace, who will train with Gills for the first time.