TOTO NSIALA left Grimsby for a fresh challenge, the chance to better himself. He is confident a move to Hartlepool United will help fulfil that ambition.

He ended last season with two visits to Wembley; successful in the National League play-off final, unsuccessful in the FA Trophy final.

The big centre-half should make his Pools debut a week tomorrow, at home to Colchester as the League Two season starts.

“I wanted a new chapter, somewhere fresh to start,’’ he admitted. "Having met the manager this seemed like the right move for me.

"He told me about his plans for the club and I liked his ambition.

"I wanted to be a part of it.

"It wasn't easy, not just from the emotional Grimsby side, Paul Hurst said he really wanted me to stay, but there were other clubs interested.

"No disrespect to Hartlepool but there were bigger clubs I could have gone to.

"But this move was not about bigger clubs or contracts, it was about me wanting to progress as a player.

"I want to get better and I will learn new things from Craig and that's no disrespect to the men who have managed me, who've been brilliant. Craig can teach me and progress me as a player.’’

It didn’t take long for an instant bond to flourish between Nsiala and his new boss Craig Hignett: "We literally lived ten minutes away from each other. I never knew he was a Scouser until I met him, you can't have too many Scousers.

"I don't know much about Hartlepool yet but the manager here won me over and being a scouser always helps! We're the best people in the world.’’

The unassuming Nsiala, 24, spent time at Everton as a trainee, before moving to Accrington and onto Grimsby.

An athletic centre-half, Nsiala suffered a knee injury in the midweek friendly win at Guisborough Town, but looks set to partner Matthew Bates as Hignett’s first choice pairing.

He added: “I think there was a big improvement last season after the gaffer came in as manager.

"I spoke to a couple of lads who played against Hartlepool, for Accrington and Newport, and they said they were a team who liked to pass the ball about.

"That's what I wanted to hear. I don't want to be joining a long ball team who are just going to boom it forward.

"I want to play football and I know that's how the gaffer likes it.

"The pitch looks like a carpet so I'm looking forward to getting on it and playing."

He added: "Grimsby didn't really want me to leave they nearly had my girlfriend in tears the nice things they were saying about me.

"It hard to leave Grimsby but I'm going to work really hard to show I've made the right decision.

"I'd like to carry on from where I left off at Grimsby.

"From what I've seen and heard, I do believe this club will surprise a lot of people and climb the table. It will be a challenge but one we should look forward to.’’