Boro boss had Taiwo Atieno in his ‘little black book’

STEVENAGE boss Graham Westley says he is pleased to have finally got his man after signing Taiwo Atieno.

The ex-Luton Town striker, who is a Kenyan international, has signed for Boro until the end of the season after spending last year with the Hatters, and joins fellow new signings Byron Harrison and Craig Reid as Westley continues to reshape his attacking line-up.

Speaking to The Comet about his new signing, Westley said Atieno was one of the names he had written down in his little black book ever since the 25-year-old impressed him when playing on loan for Kidderminster against Stevenage in November 2005.

Westley said: “I obviously feel he’s a good signing. I’m sure people looked at us shipping out Charlie Griffin and Yemi (Odubade), and Tim Sills and Peter Vincenti and were waiting for me to make some moves in forward areas and I’ve made those moves and they are designed to make us better.

“I have to say that when I first heard he had come back into the country and had signed for Luton I was choked (Atieno had numerous spells in the USA with Rochester Rhinos and Charleston Battery, as well as in Puerto Rico with the Islanders who he helped qualify for the Concacef Champions League).

“I had always had him in my little black book as it were. He first played against me for Kiddie all those years ago and he made such an impression that I’ve always had him in the back of my mind.

“I was choked when he came in for Luton, but I was delighted when I heard he was becoming available.

“He’s got pace, he’s got power, he’s got athleticism, and he’s a terrific finisher.”