“Hungry” new signing Offrande Zanzala knocked back interest from rivals in order to sign for Carlisle United, boss Chris Beech says.

And the Blues boss says the striker, who completed his move to Brunton Park yesterday, has League One ability.

Zanzala has trained with the squad this week ahead of signing a deal until the end of the season.

Beech said of the former Crewe and Accrington man: “He has a great personality, and looks sharp and hungry.

“He had a few suitors as well, so I’m really pleased he chose us, but he and his representative enjoyed the conversations he had with me and David [Holdsworth, director of football].

“We met him a couple of times, and I’m really thankful Crewe have worked hand in hand with Carlisle to get to this position of him being available for our 25-game season that’s left.”

Zanzala, who left Crewe last weekend, gives Beech a further attacking option and his arrival also offsets this week’s departure of Gavin Reilly to Livingston.

Beech said the 24-year-old is desperate to impress in any attacking role.

“He’s been coming on for Crewe in wide areas but ultimately he sees himself as a centre-forward,” Beech said.

“If you look at his clips you’d probably agree with that, with his movements.

“But, like Rhys Bennett said, he just wants to play. Jack Armer just wants to play. He’s a left-back who played right-back, he just wants to play. Joe Riley was a full-back who plays in midfield. Jon Mellish was a centre-half who plays in midfield.

“The lads just want to play, and do what they enjoy to their levels, and that can take you to a different level.

“Ozzy’s one of those chaps who just wants to be on that pitch and will want to score goals for sure.”

Beech said Zanzala was a positive-minded player who was also brave when it came to attacking chances.

“He fits what I like,” he said of the former Derby trainee. “He’s an attacking player with an eye for goal, and he puts his head and foot in where it hurts.

“He’s potent in front of goal, he’s quick, works very hard, has some physical attributes and he’s scored goals in League One.

“I think with the quality and intent of our team, we’ve got players who it wouldn’t be mis-fitting if they played in League One.

“That’s all down to the type of recruitment we’ve done.

“What we’ve got to make sure is we represent everything we are at the moment, which is hard work, honest, and intelligent at times with our decisions on the pitch with great individual things that come out of the lads, because they’re enjoying what they’re doing.

“We’ve got to make sure we adhere to the traits we’ve shown so far and keep working very hard. We’ll look to continue enjoying the journey we’re on because a lot of these players haven’t done this before.

“Ozzy has been promoted before with Accrington, and I’m really looking forward to the next 25 games in short period of time.”

Beech says Zanzala will also be hungry to impress after a frustrating spell at Crewe, where he made just one league start after joining them from Accrington last summer.

His move to the Blues was anticipated by fans after pictures of Zanzala’s car at Brunton Park were posted online this week.

“Looking at the internet, everybody already knew he was here I think,” Beech said.

“He’s edging towards his mid-20s now and he wants to make a mark.

“He already has done that, but wants a bit more regular game time.

“He signed for Crewe on the promise of being the No9, [but then] I think Chris Porter signed and Mikael Mandron signed for them, so he didn’t get as much game time as he’d like.

“It was a case of keeping an ear to the ground and looking at the market. I think he’ll support the players we’ve got and add more goal threat especially with Gavin Reilly leaving.”

In terms of researching Zanzala’s background, Beech added: “With every player we try and sign, I always do background checks, and I know a lot of people around in our sport, having worked in it for so long.

“I rang a few lads who know him personally and they couldn’t say enough about him – great character, great lad, good energy and wants to do well.

“People like that, I’m very interested in.”