At the age of 28, David Ngog is confident he has many successful years still ahead of him.
Having been without a club since leaving Panionios last summer due to a serious knee injury, the former Liverpool striker believes Owen Coyle is the perfect man to revive his career and had no hesitation in answering the Ross County manager’s call to sign a deal until the end of the season.
The arrival of the Frenchman represents a major coup for the Staggies, given Ngog’s rich pedigree which peaked when he was lured to the Reds in 2008 as an exciting 19-year-old prospect, with Rafael Benitez signing him from PSG for a reported £1.5million.
After being faced with the arduous task of dislodging the likes of Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez, Ngog was unable to establish himself as first-choice striker at Anfield and in 2011 Coyle spent £4million to secure him for Bolton Wanderers.
Although his time with the Trotters brought mixed results with 16 goals in 91 appearances over two-and-a-half years, Ngog has never forgotten the role Coyle played in offering him a fresh chance in his career, prior to spells with Swansea, Stade de Reims and Greek outfit Panionios.
Ngog said: “He believed in me when I was at Liverpool and brought me to Bolton Wanderers. This is another chance to work with him.
“I have to thank him for his confidence and now I just want to do my best to repay that.
“At the time of the move to Bolton I needed some game time. At Liverpool, I had a great time and it was a big club.
“Bolton was different but it was a good challenge. I enjoyed it.
“The coach here was obviously a big part of my decision.
“But I’ve been here a few days and from what I’ve seen of the club and facilities, and having met my team-mates, I feel it is a good project here.”
The new Victoria Park attacker added: “There is a different challenge at every club. I have always been ambitious and that doesn’t change now.
“I aim to do my best for Ross County. I am 28 now and if my fitness is good I have good years ahead of me.”
Ngog had been on trial at Victoria Park since last week with Coyle admitting the former France under-21 international is still short of fitness having not played since April, with a cruciate ligament injury forcing him to undergo surgery in June.
Although tonight’s Premiership match at Motherwell could come too soon for him, Ngog is not underestimating the challenge that faces bottom-of-the-table County in their efforts to climb away from relegation danger.
Ngog added: “The injury has held me back but I am now training every day and it is getting better and better. We need time to get fully ready but I think I am fit now.
“I signed to the end of the season and I am just looking to take it one step at a time and help the team to achieve their target.
“Hopefully we are going to stay in the league. I think we have the quality to do that. We have been a bit unfortunate.
“I don’t have that much experience of relegation battles but every club brings a different challenge. This one is not going to be easy.
“It will be a fight for us to the end of the season and we will need to work hard. I just want to show what I can do.”