Joachim was presented to the press yesterday (Tuesday) after a successful year at Darlington, in which he made 45 appearances and scored six goals.

Linnets boss Keith Webb said: "It's not often you get the opportunity to have a former Premier League player in your squad.

"I'm sure he will cause a lot of problems to defences next season."

Linnets chairman Ken Bobbins, who was also present, said: "This is a momentous occasion for Lynn Football Club and the fact that Julian has decided to come with us is absolutely magnificent."

Despite moving to a non-league side, Joachim said: "I'm always excited about a move whereever I go, it's all part of the game.

"I'm quite lively on and off the pitch, hopefully with the experience I have got it will come through."

Keith Webb has made it clear that there are more signing to come, saying: "If I'm honest I would like to add another two to the squad."

It has been thought that the signing of such a talented player has dented the amount of money left to spend on new players.

But Webb said: "People have got to understand we haven't gone out and paid stupid money for Julian. We'have kept it within the budget and I'm delighted to get him at that price."

Not only has Julian played for top flight team Aston Villa, he made nine appearances for England under-21s, making his debut against Denmark in 1994.

Joachim is excited about playing with a new team and league and impressing the Lynn fans. He said of his previous club Darlington: "I got on well, the fans were very good with me. It was a great little club."

It would seem the future of Lynn FC is positive, with one star player already in the bag and a proposed two more players to hopefully join the Linnets.

Joachim's arrival and the hopeful signing of two others will play a successful part in making the club more noticeable in other areas of the country.

Webb is thinking positively about next season, and is hoping that the Linnets success will continue with Joachim's contribution.

He said: "We want to go as high as we can in this league and our ultimate goal is to obviously get into the conference.

"We're hungry for success as we had a bit of it last season, we want more of that and we want more of the good times.

"I'm certain that Julian will come along and help us get more of the same thing."

The signing of Joachim is sure to be a huge asset to the club when they start their pre-season games away against S and L Corby on July 10, with the new season commencing on August 9.

The manager is still unsure what life in the Conference North will be like.

"There's a lot of good teams in the league and in some respects were going into a dark tunnel and we don't know what's on the outside. From my point of view other teams don't know what to expect from us."

* Georgie Whing is on work experience at the Lynn News and is a student at Downham High School.

** Read more about Julian and Linnets latest in Friday's Lynn News.