Darlington new boy Bobby Petta admits the chance to play regular first-team football was too good an opportunity to turn down.

The Dutch winger signed a short-term deal with Quakers on Monday which will keep him at the Williamson Motors Stadium until the end of the season.

Petta was released by Celtic in November after almost six years at Parkhead, in which the 30-year-old made just 81 appearances for the Bhoys.

After an unsuccessful trial at Bolton last month, Southampton, Leeds United, Millwall, Wigan and Gillingham were all interested in the former Ipswich winger.

But, after holding talks with manager David Hodgson on Friday, Petta admitted he had no intention of moving anywhere else once the club was sold to him.

He said: "Darlington have a great stadium, they like to play good football and have players who have played at the highest level so it was an easy decision to make. I'm delighted I have the opportunity to play again because it has been a while. There were other clubs interested but I am happy to come and play for Darlington.

"All I wanted to do was play football so dropping down to League Two wasn't a problem.

"David Hodgson sold the club to me and hopefully I can repay the faith he has shown in me by doing well.

"I haven't played since November so it didn't really take much persuading for me to come here. I was impressed with the ambition of the manager and the way the club was ran."

Petta also admitted fellow Dutchman Clyde Wijnhard played a major role in securing Quakers' latest transfer coup.

The pair played together through the Dutch national youth ranks and Petta added: "Of course Clyde made my decision a lot easier. We go back a long time and after speaking to him my mind was made up.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge and hopefully I can help Darlington to promotion."

Petta, who will make his debut at Bury on Saturday, could play in this afternoon's behind-closed-doors friendly with Queen of the South. Jamaican international Damion Stewart will start after revealing his hopes of securing a permanent deal.

Stewart has been on trial with Quakers for a fortnight and is due to return to his homeland on Thursday.

"Everything has gone well for me and hopefully I can do well in the game on Wednesday," said Stewart. "I'm due to fly home on Thursday so who knows?"

Defender Joey Hutchinson will continue his recovery from knee ligament damage at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall this week.