Defender Jason Lee admits some encouragement from footballing friends convinced him to sign for King's Lynn Town.

The Daventry-based 29-year-old left Step Three Banbury United to sign for Gary Setchell's Linnets on Thursday after taking advice from current and ex-Lynn players.

The left-footed defender becomes that latest Northamptonshire-based player to join Lynn's ranks and acknowledges the influence of his close to home team-mates helped his decision to join The Walks outfit.

Lee said: 'At the back end of last season I wanted to further my career and took a step up to Banbury (in the summer).

'Once I got there I realised it perhaps wasn't the best decision and spoke to Russell (Dunkley) and Richard (Bunting). They said 'get yourself over and play for a proper club'. On first impressions it certainly is.

'They are a couple of friends who have played here since the start of the season and said what a great club it is with fantastic support. I also discussed it with a couple of friends who have played here in the past, Carl Holmes and Malcolm Ndekwe, and they said it was a great club as well.

'I look at is a step forward. The manager also sold it to me after five minutes and I see it as move up from where I've come from. Lynn are a sleeping giant.'

The former Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Rushden & Diamonds youth player last played at Step Four of the non-league ladder – where Lynn play – in 2010.

It was a memorable season for the left-footed centre-back, who can play left back, as he featured in the Daventry Town side that lifted the United Counties Premier Division (UCL) title. And he'll return to similar surroundings at Communications Park this afternoon, if selected, to make his Linnets debut against the 2010 UCL champion in an FA Cup First Qualifying Round tie.

'There'll be some familiar faces as there will be friends and families there I know so it will be nice,' said Lee, who will be joined in the Lynn squad by ex-Daventry player Dunkley.

'If selected, it will be a nice debut for me. There's going to be all the support from the Lynn fans and some support from Daventry fans which will make it a nice day.

'When Richard and Russell made the move the discussion popped up about travelling. It's football at the end of the day - we all love to play it. The majority of away games for Lynn are in the Midlands area so it's swings and roundabouts.

'Travelling with Russell, Quigz (Dan Quigley) and Richard will help and is going to add the atmosphere on a Saturday. I think I'll bring a good attitude and professionalism. I've got a winning mentality and hopefully I can show that on the pitch.'