Junior Agogo was today signing a three-year contract with Bristol Rovers - with last season's top scorer Giuliano Grazioli poised to join Barnet as part of the deal. The Pirates were preparing to welcome the 23-year-old Bees marksman on board subject to the formalities of a medical.

They have landed the 6ft striker after several weeks of talks. Agogo was a target for clubs including Swindon Town and Peterborough.

Agogo spoke of his excitement at being handed the chance to carve out a future at the Memorial Stadium.

He said: "I had talks with the chairman and manager and was impressed with the club's plans for the future. I would say my strengths are that I'm quick, quite strong, good on the ball and not bad in the air.

"But I know I can improve and that's one of the reasons I have agreed to come here. I think the club can help me get the goals I'm capable of."

Grazioli, who netted 12 goals last season, revealed in the Evening Post earlier this month that he feared for his future after Rovers' capture of big strikers Andy Rammell and Clive Platt.

He is now expected to move back to London to try and relaunch his career at Underhill. Rovers are also understood to be paying a near sixfigure fee for Agogo, who was under contract with the Conference club.

Chairman Geoff Dunford said: "Junior has got pace and power and we feel we can improve both his goalscoring and his technique and make him an even better player.We see him as one for the future and we think he will score goals for us."

Born in Ghana but now a British citizen, Agogo was playing local football in north London when he was picked up by ex-Sheffield Wednesday youth scout Ricky Hill. He joined the Owls' youth ranks in 1995, scoring 20 goals for their reserves two years later.

He went on to make seven Premiership appearances before a loan spell at Oldham, where he scored three goals in five games. He also netted seven times in nine outings for Chester before having further stints on loan at Chesterfield and Lincoln.

A two-year spell in America followed - with Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids and San Jose Earthquakes - before joining Barnet, where he scored 19 Conference goals last season.