Ethan Walker is hoping to put down roots and establish himself in the first team after signing a two-year deal with Ayr United.

The winger spent the last three months of last season on loan at Oldham Athletic from Blackburn Rovers, but only made four appearances in that time.

For the 21-year-old, his spell at Boundary Park was his second loan move after joining Blackburn two years ago from neighbouring Preston North End, and fourth of his young career - including two spells with Carlisle.

But Walker is hoping that joining Ayr will help to kick-start his career.

"This is my ninth club and I'm 21 so I've been around the place," he admitted.

"If I had to go through all the clubs that I've been to it might take quite a long time.

"Hopefully ninth time lucky I can start my career and kickstart into the direction I believe it should be going.

"My first impressions coming here, I think this could be the perfect opportunity for me."

Walker, who was limited to just one National League start for Latics, has been a long-term target for Ayr boss Scott Brown.

"Before I joined Blackburn Rovers, which is two years ago now, I had quite an honest conversation with Scott. He wanted me to go to Fleetwood and we had a really good conversation about the situation and where I wanted my career to go," he explained.

"And I believe at the time, which I said to the manager, I think Blackburn at that time was the right thing for me in terms of if I wasn't playing first team football what would be the follow-up for that? And he was great and understood what I was looking for.

"Now I've left Blackburn and I need to go and express myself. I think having Scott come and speak to me again and show that he really wants me to come and hopefully improve me and progress me, which is something that I always want to be doing, I think that was a big reason why (I signed).

"But also the direction the club wants to go in, the players they've brought in. We want to push for the higher end of the table, we want to be the best in the league, we want to be fit, we want to be the fittest team.

"It's always nice to see what the club's ambitions are and that's what's attracted me."

Walker added: "Every opportunity I've had at all the clubs that I've been to has made me the player that I am now.

"I've had some difficult times, I've had some really good times but that's all part and parcel of being a football player I guess.

"I just have to earn the right in this football industry and express myself in this sport.

"I like working hard, I think you have to earn the right to get into the team, which is something that I want. I want to be able to battle and fight and earn my way into the starting XI. Having a competitive environment is something that I like and I think it will get the best out of me."