Dagenham & Redbridge signing looking to play his part

Latest Dagenham & Redbridge signing Conor Lawless wants to play as many games as possible after agreeing a one-year deal at the club.

The 21-year-old midfielder is the seventh signing of the summer for Daggers boss Ben Strevens, having impressed for Daggers as a trialist during pre-season.

And he is ready to get to work at Victoria Road with the new National League season set to start at Altrincham at the weekend.

“It’s a little bit overdue! Happy to finally be here, just want the season to start and [got] a real good feeling about being a player and enjoying what’s happening here,” Lawless told DaggersTV.

“It’s been really good, really easy to settle in with everyone, it’s a great set of guys.

“It’s been good to get the minutes in, I feel like we’ve really got an identity to us, to take us into this season.

“Pre-season is all about the minutes and getting fitness up, but I feel like we’ve been very head on and know what we want to do and how we’re going to approach that game on Saturday. Everyone is buzzing for it.”

Lawless came through Reading’s academy to sign his first professional contract with the club, making his debut in an FA Cup defeat at Luton Town in January 2021.

He left at the expiry of his contract that summer to join the Hatters and had loan spells at National League South clubs Farnborough and Dulwich Hamlet last season.

“It was tough but it taught me a lot, different ways of football, different styles, good and bad days, but it’s done a lot for me,” he added.

“I feel like for myself it’s probably even overdue to be honest. I feel like I’m ready for the step, I’ve learned a lot about myself and football, so it’s the right time.

“I’m quite a creative player, I like to get on the ball, dictate games, break lines, but I feel like I can do a bit of both.

“I like to get stuck in and I’m just going to leave it all out there, play as many games as I can, make sure I’m enjoying myself, coming in every day working as hard as possible, just improving and being in a good environment.”

Daggers boss Strevens added: “I was impressed when I used to watch him train at Luton. I’m glad he’s come in and shown the same levels with us over his trial period.

“We believe he can cover all the midfield positions for us and means we now have good competition for places in that area.

“I think he can have a very good career for himself but we want to keep helping him develop as a player and as a person.”

Daggers play their final pre-season friendly at Northwood on Tuesday, before making the trip to Altrincham for their league opener at the weekend.