ORIENT new boy Sean Thornton is desperate for a return to Championship football and he is convinced that he can achieve that aim with the O's.

The 25-year-old midfielder played a key role in helping Sunderland to the Championship title in the 2004/05 season, and having experienced the joy of promotion once before he is hungry for more success at Brisbane Road.

He said: "This is a tough league to play in and a tough one to get out of, but Championship football has to be the aim and I think the gaffer has brought in players who can achieve that.

"You've got to have a hunger to play as high as you can, and ideally I'd like to be in the Championship - hopefully I can do that with Orient."

Thornton was the subject of a £175,000 move to Doncaster Rovers in July 2005, but he was released by the Keepmoat Stadium club this summer and he is ready to kick on once more with the O's

He continued: "It's taken a little while to get my future sorted this summer, so I'm delighted to have signed for Orient.

"I first heard of the opportunity of coming here a couple of weeks ago and it was a big decision for me, especially having played all my football in the north of England.

"It's one that took a little time to mull over, but I'm really pleased to have come down here and I'm just looking to the future now.

"It's a good footballing side here, and the gaffer has brought a lot of new players in which says to me that he wants to push for promotion.

"Orient is an ambitious club, and with the ground almost finished too it looks like an exciting time for us.

"The manager was very persuasive too and I'm looking forward to working under him."

The former Ireland U21 international will bring some much needed creativity to Orient's engine room and he is sure he will slot straight in to the Orient style.

He added: "I obviously hope to bring the experience I gained from playing in the Premiership and Championship to the side, and I know it's cliched, but I'll give 100% to the cause.

"I'll bring some creativity to the midfield. My job is to make goals for others as well as chipping in with a couple myself, so I hope to show the fans what I can do."

SEAN THORNTON'S KIT IS AVAILABLE TO SPONSOR. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION