ORIENT have swooped to sign Cheltenham Town winger JJ Melligan on a three-year contract.

Melligan, 25, was offered a new deal by the Whaddon Road club but turned it down in order to link up with the O's.

The former Wolves man scored eight goals from the right flank last term, including a stunner in the Robins' 2-1 victory over Orient in March, and he is hoping to transfer that form to his new club.

He said: "I'm delighted to be joining Orient. I had three good years at Cheltenham, but I felt it was time for a change and I'm excited by the potential of this club.

"I obviously remember the goal I scored against Orient last season, and I had a good year in front of goal, so hopefully I'll be able to carry that over, as well as providing plenty of chances for the strikers.

"The gaffer said that he wants to build on last season and I'm looking forward to helping the club to achieve their goals."

Dublin-born Melligan, a former Ireland U21 international, began his career in English football with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He only made two substitute appearances for the Molineux club, but enjoyed more success with loan spells at Bournemouth, Kidderminster and Doncaster, where he won the Division Three title in the 2003/04 season.

He moved to Cheltenham in July 2004, and played 135 times for the Robins, scoring 18 goals. He was a regular in their successful League Two play-off campaign in 2005/06 and played a major role in keeping John Ward's side in League One last term.

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