For new Hampton & Richmond striker Nana Badu, every time he steps on to a football pitch is a blessing.

An horrific knee injury suffered while at Millwall as a teenager forced Badu to battle his way back to be able to walk, let alone become a Ryman League hotshot.

But, now, having moved from Walton Casuals to the Beavers, the goal getter readily admits he has navigated a difficult path to success.

He said: "I had trials at Millwall when I was 16 and I was there a couple of years.

"But then, when I was 19, I had a really bad knee injury and I had to take two years out of the game.

"I had a operation but the doctors didn't really know what the problem was and they had to restart my nerve impulses.

"Basically, I had to learn to walk again and it took more than a year.

"I had to learn to use my other foot so I went from being left-footed to right-footed."

Badu became a football nomad in a bid to rebuild his career.

Canvey Island, Great Wakering, Hornchurch, Maidenhead and Tilbury were all ticked off as the striker struggled to prove his worth.

During his time at Maidenhead, Badu suffered another set-back.

He revealed: "My knee injury started to flare up again at Maidenhead and so I decided to drop down a league.

"That's when I went to Tilbury but it wasn't great."

The 24-year-old combines playing with coaching children in Hackney, and it was a surprise invite from overseas that put him back on the path to glory.

He added: "I got contacted by St Pauli, a Bundesliga 2 side in Germany, and, after I had a trial with them, they offered me a four-year contract.

"I would have love to go into football full-time but I missed working with the kids so much I passed it up."

On his return to the UK, Badu was contacted by Tony Gale, director of football at Walton Casuals, who snapped up the hitman for the Stags - Badu responded by firing 15 goals last season. This prompted Hampton boss Alan Devonshire to take a punt on him, and Badu is excited at the prospect.

He said: "I have not really tested my knee to the max yet.

"I will not find out how it is until I start playing again.

"But I am excited to be back in the Conference South as, after my time at Maidenhead, I really feel like I owe that league one."