personal business -- including arranging the sale of his four-bedroom house -- before making a move to Bristol City on a 175,000 transfer.

After weeks of negotiation, the Bermudian striker signed a two-year contract with City on Wednesday night over dinner in Nottingham with the club's 33-year-old chairman Scott Davison.

Now Goater is looking forward to the switch to his third English club. And once again he will be wearing the red and white colours of the North Village Red Devils, the club he started with in Bermuda.

When he arrives in Bristol tomorrow night Goater will be put up in a top hotel in the city for up to three months, at the club's expense, while he secures permanent accomodation.

Goater spent three days in Bristol earlier this week and was impressed with the facilities at the club and the potential of the area. He said his mind was made up on the move after the first day.

"I was told they (Bristol City and Rotherham) had agreed a fee so the decision was down to me,'' Goater explained.

"I could have refused and returned to Rotherham but I went down and had a look and was very impressed and it didn't take long to make my decision.

"You look around the ground, they tell you what their plans are in terms of buying (new players) and the average gate which could be between 10,000 and 12,000. There is no First Division or Premier League club within several miles of Bristol which is why there is tremendous potential for big crowds.'' He also liked what he saw of the surrounding area of Bristol.

"They are on the seaside which reminds you a bit of Bermuda and all that was influential in my decision making,'' he said. "You can hear the seagulls and you just don't hear that in Rotherham.'' Goater felt there was enough potential at the club for First, or even Premier Division status. They will be relying on his goals to fulfill their their dream of getting out of the Second Division.

City narrowly missed out on a play-off spot last season. The last time they were in the top flight was in 1979-80 when it was the old First Division.

Being at a better team in the same division, Goater is confident he can at least match his tally of the last two seasons when he scored 25 and 24 goals.

"The target I'm looking for is achievable by my standards,'' said Goater who acknowledged there would be greater competition for places in the team.

"I'll only let myself down if I don't achieve that.'' After six years at Rotherham, Goater admitted he had become attached to the club. But he acknowledged moving was part of the life of a professional footballer. Even buying and selling houses is taken in stride.

"Moving is hectic but you can look at it as an exciting time in your life and career and let things take their own course,'' he added.

"If you do well you are expected to move on. Having been there for a while you get attached to the club but I'm pleased with my move and for now it's about scoring the goals and living up to everyone's expectations.

"I need to achieve what I've done at Rotherham and that is to score over 20 goals.'' Goater will meet his new team-mates on Monday when they assemble for the launching of their new kit which is sponsored by Lotto, with whom Goater is close to signing a boot deal.

On Tuesday the team will report back for training, to be followed next week by a visit to an army camp to whip them into shape.

"That will be an experience. I thought I got away from the army when I came out here,'' Goater joked.

"Maybe I can try the excuse that I don't see too well.'' Goater said it would be easier for him to settle in with his new club at the beginning of the season rather than midway through.

"The four to five weeks are very important,'' he said of pre-season training.

"That's the period when you can get close and get to know players. It's not like when you come in at the middle of a season and you have to go out there and perform and get to know the players. Sometimes players can have a grudge because you are coming in and taking their position.'' City are planning to make more signings before the season starts so as to strengthen their squad even further.

"In a lot of ways it reminds me of `Man U' (Manchester United) in terms of the squad and the competition,'' said Goater.

"I know I'm going to be one of the top players there but it reminds me of `Man U' in that there were so many strikers that you have to perform every week to keep you on your toes.

"That can only help me as a player and Bristol City as a club. I only see myself getting in the First Division or Premiership by being promoted and that's what I'm looking for now.

"The club I'm with now is very ambitious so along with my ambition I don't think we're too far off.'' Bristol City start their season on August 17 away to Gillingham before Goater plays against his former club on September 14 and Kyle Lightbourne's Walsall the following Saturday.