Histon striker Omer Riza says he is enjoying his football once again after feeling he was snubbed by English clubs since returning from Turkey.
Riza, 30, was banned by the Turkish Football Federation after walking out on Trabzonspor 18 months ago.
He told BBC Radio Cambridgeshire: "People in England have said 'who is this player?' when I've come through the ranks at Arsenal and West Ham.
"It hurts a little bit but I'm out there enjoying myself again."
After
a dispute over payment with the Turkish club
Riza failed to hold down permanent deals at Shrewsbury and Aldershot and now finds himself on non-contract terms at Bridge Road.
The former Cambridge United frontman found the net for the first time in Saturday's 2-1 win over Hayes & Yeading and feels he is finding his groove.
To me it doesn't really matter who we play, Crawley or whoever they are. I don't even really know the teams in this league
Histon striker Omer Riza
"I've missed a lot of football over the last two years because of the ban. I'm getting fitter, I'm getting stronger," he said
"Hopefully I'll stay injury free and bang in a few goals for Histon this year."
The Stutes square up against big-spending Crawley next but Riza is not phased by the challenge.
"To me it doesn't really matter who we play, Crawley or whoever they are," he continued.
"I don't even really know the teams in this league, we need to go out there and win every game."
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