Few players who sign for Annan Athletic will have had anything like the career Christian Nade has had.

A former France Under-21 international, Nade began his career at Troyes before joining Premier League side Sheffield United and famously scoring past Jens Lehmann in their 1-0 win over Arsenal in 2006.

After a year with the Blades, Nade - the younger brother of former Carlisle United man Raphael - moved north of the border to link-up with Hearts. Striker Nade went on to score 10 goals in 83 games for the Jambos but left the UK in 2010, signing for Alki Larnaca in Cyprus before a spell in Thailand.

But Nade returned to Scottish football with Dundee in 2014 and has had various stints at Scottish clubs since - a trial spell at Annan in 2016 included - ahead of his return to Galabank on Saturday, having lately been playing for McBookie Premiership outfit Troon.

Nade re-joins the Black and Golds ahead of tomorrow’s match at home to Clyde with Peter Murphy’s men fourth in the Scottish League Two table, eyeing promotion.

So, was the opportunity to compete for silverware one of the incentives behind Nade’s move?

He says: "Yes, of course, of course. What player wouldn’t like that?

"It’s a big challenge because, for years, the team have been trying to get into League One and I would like to help the team do that. The team has been doing well lately – I have been following the results – and I’m hoping I can bring some more small, tiny things they need into the team.

"But things have been going well so, to be honest, I would be happy to be on the bench and to watch them play. [Then], if they need me, I would be happy to bring what I can bring."

Under former boss Jim Chapman, Nade had a brief spell with the Galabankies in December 2016.

And even though much has changed at the club since then, the 34-year-old admits there are still some familiar faces.

He admits: "I have been at Annan before, so I know a few of the fans. I’m not gonna be lost and I know some of the people here, so I’m glad to come back."

Explaining how his second spell at Annan had come about, Nade reveals: "I have been talking with Darren [Barr, assistant manager] and he has been telling me that Annan would be happy to have me.

"He says the coach [Murphy] would be quite pleased to sign me and I think it’s a move that will also help my career.

"It was [a] difficult [decision] because I was at Troon and I was playing well, and I was very, very happy to be there.

"So, it was a difficult decision to make. But I like the challenge.

"Annan want to be in the play-offs and get promoted, and I’m the kind of player who doesn’t like to turn down a challenge. So, I was happy to take the challenge."

It’s clear Nade, who bravely opened up on his battle with depression last year after attempting to take his own life in 2014, had been enjoying a new lease of life at Troon, helping the club reach the Scottish Junior Cup Quarter-Final.

"I scored a few goals. We were doing very well in the cup and have made it through to the quarter-final – where the club have been only once in their whole history," he enthuses through what remains a thick French accent.

"I’m a little gutted because I wanted to win this cup but, sometimes, you need to think about the bigger picture and the move to Annan is maybe the right thing to do."

Now having switched his attention to Annan matters, Nade’s first task will be to get into the starting XI at in-form Athletic, who have beaten leaders Edinburgh City and second-placed Peterhead in recent weeks.

Nade has had extra time to train with his new team-mates after last Saturday’s trip to Berwick Rangers was postponed - but he is unsure that’s a good thing.

"I don’t know because I was really, really looking forward to playing, so I’m quite disappointed," he bemoans.

"But it was good to train with the team. I know a few of the boys, so that’s good, but I would have been very happy to have been able to play."

When asked what manager Murphy has told him to do to break into his side, Nade acknowledges the team’s recent form, but insists he will do everything to make sure he is ready when his chance comes.

He says: "When you bring in any player, you try to make sure that they will improve the team that you have already got.

"From what I have seen and the results I’ve seen lately, the team is doing very, very well, so I will need to adjust to the team.

"If I can bring something to the team, I will do my best to do that, but like I said to the assistant manager on Saturday, ‘I have seen the results, the team are doing well, so I don’t mind being on the bench and watching’.

"Then, when I do get a chance to play, I need to take my chance and never leave the starting XI again."