Kidderminster striker Matthew Barnes-Homer has signed a new two-year contract with the Blue Square Premier club.

The Harriers hotshot then exclaimed – “I am up for the challenge, lets get this club back into the Football League.”

The 23-year-old ends all speculation about his future by putting pen to paper on a deal that will keep him at Aggborough until the summer of 2011.

After 21 goals last season as one half of the most potent strike partnership in the league with Justin Richards, there was rival interest in the services of the out-of-contract former Wolves youngster.

Oxford even confirmed their interest, but baulked at the compensation fee owed to Harriers because the player is under 24.

Now manager Mark Yates can celebrate his first contract signing of the summer, with the promise of more to come.

The club may only have four contracted players on the books, but Barnes-Homer is confident his deal is the first of many.

He said: “I am glad it’s sorted out, there was interest in me from a number of clubs – some in the league – but it’s not the right time for me to move.

“The situation with the squad wasn’t a factor in me signing, I have total trust that the gaffer will bring in the players we need to kick on from last season.”