Wycombe’s new number nine Sam Vokes has revealed that the initial conversation with Gareth Ainsworth played a big role in him joining the club.

The 31-year-old is the latest player to sign for the Chairboys, and was officially revealed to the crowd before Wanderers defeated Leicester City at Adams Park 1-0 in a pre-season friendly.

His move was widely anticipated following rumours over the last few days, and with Vokes watching on from the stands during the victory on July 28, he revealed that he is ‘itching to get going’ for his new club.

Speaking after the triumph over the FA Cup winners, he said: “I’ll be totally honest with you, he picked the phone up to me a few weeks ago and when I got off the phone, I wanted to sign immediately.

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“I think he installed what I knew what the group was all about, but our conversation played a really big part and it made me want to come and I’m glad I have.

“It was nice to be in a stadium full of people so to be unveiled as a new signing was brilliant but more importantly, I thought the team put in a good performance against a strong Leicester team, so it shows our intent and what we are capable of.

“This is a great place to be, and I really wanted to be part of it.”

Despite being a regular goal scorer in his Premier League days with Burnley, Vokes struggled for form at his previous club, Stoke City, where he scored just 12 goals across two-and-a-half seasons between 2019 and 2021.

During that time, he made 86 appearances for the Potters, yet only managed to get on the scoresheet once last campaign.

READ MORE: Daryl Horgan gets the winner as Wycombe beat FA Cup holders Leicester City at Adams Park

But, with a fresh start, he is hoping to get the ground running at Wycombe.

He said: “I can’t wait.

“I was itching to get going when watching in the stands so with a good weeks’ worth of training in me, I can’t wait for the start of the season.”

On Horgan’s goal, he added: “That’s what I expected from the boys as that is the way we play – forward attacking football which is exciting to watch.

“The balls that were coming into the box were the ones that you want to get on the end of so I’m hoping to do that soon.

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“And you put pressure on yourself which it’s important for me.

“It has been frustrating over the last couple of years as I have been desperate to play football so on a personal note, I try to put that pressure on myself to come in and do well, but, I’ve got an overall feeling of excitement to get going now.”

Vokes has joined Wanderers on an initial one-year deal – with the option of a second year.