Gateshead sign winger Toby Ajala from league rivals Torquay United

WINGER Toby Ajala has signed for National League side Gateshead after rejecting an offer from rivals Torquay United.

The 24-year-old former Hull City and Bristol City youngster has plenty of experience in Non-League having played for Hayes & Yeading and Welling United.

After loans at AFC Wimbledon, Cheltenham Town and a season with Torquay, he signed for Dover Athletic last September following a trial with Scottish Premier League side Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

However, he returned to Torquay in January after spending the first half of the season with Dover, making 49 starts in his two spells with the Gulls.

Ajala, who turned down a new deal at Plainmoor, becomes Gateshead’s tenth signing of the summer and the winger is aiming high with his new club.

“Gateshead have always been an organised team when I’ve come across them in the past and I’m happy to be moving north,” he told the Heed’s website.

“Last season was a strange one for me and while I could have stayed at Torquay I wanted to move on and enjoy my football again.

“Hopefully I can show what I’m all about and be a regular in the side rather than being an impact player off the bench.

“The Football League is where I want to be and it would be great if that was at Gateshead. We should certainly have a good season.

“There have been a number of impressive signings and you have to aim high – and that’s the title and automatic promotion.”