Ryan Burge has hopes of returning to action in the Football League, but for now all he is thinking about is Sutton United and promotion.

The 27-year-old, who has family ties in Sutton, has led a nomadic existence having played for at least seven clubs in seven years, including stints at Doncaster Rovers and Machida Zelvia in Japan.

Burge’s career highlight to date came in the 2012-13 season, but it was a bittersweet affair.

Having played a pivotal role in guiding Port Vale to promotion to League One, he left the club by mutual consent with just three games of the season left after a falling out with boss Micky Adams on social media.

A brief stint followed at Newport County, before the midfielder took a break from the game for two years.

During his time in the wilderness, Burge turned his hand to other avenues including entering Britain’s Manliest Man competition in 2014.

However, it is a return to football that he craved, and after a chance interview at Gander Green Lane, United have signed Burge until the end of next season.

“I have ties in Sutton, my grandparents and dad were actually born in Sutton, and I have been staying here for the past six months,” he said.

“I did an interview at Sutton’s ground about my time at Port Vale, and the guy asked if I would you be prepared to drop down a level.

“I said no, I wanted to carry on playing in the league – the only club I would drop down to is Sutton United because of my ties in the area.”

He added: “I did not think anything more of it, but then the manager got in touch, and said they would be interested, and I was really keen.

“I went to training for a couple of weeks, I met all the lads, who are great and the manager is a top bloke, and I was happy to sign.

“There are some good players here – I love the pitch, able to play good football on it. It’s a club that is in a good place run by good people.”

Burge made a goal-scoring debut in United’s 4-1 win over Margate, and while goals are part of his forte, it is the team that means most to him.

He is one of three new names brought in by boss Paul Doswell – as well as Nicky Bailey and Jamie Slabber – and Burge is convinced they are already pushing for the same thing.

“The goal was a bonus, but the main thing is to get the three points,” he said.

“Promotion is what I am about – I have a promotion under my belt at Port Vale – I am a winner, I want to win things and I am ambitious – it’s an ambition I know is shared by everyone at United.

“Paul has brought us in for a reason, but the team have done a great job already this season and are right up there in the mix.

“Us new guys just need to work hard and make sure we’re all on the same page when it comes to winning promotion.”

He added: “I am like any other footballer, I want to play at the highest level – but Sutton is a great place to come back and start enjoying my football again.

“My main goal is to get the club promoted, that is all I am focussing on – whatever happens in the future will happen.”

Sutton United go to St Albans City on Saturday, followed by the visit of Weston-super-Mare to the Lane next weekend.