Forward scored seven times for Oxford United last year to help them gain promotion from League Two

Leyton Orient have announced the signing of former Aston Villa and Rotherham United forward Jordan Bowery.

The 25-year-old spent the second half of last season with Oxford United and scored some vital goals as they secured promotion.

He found the net seven times for the U’s, but was deemed surplus to requirements by manager Michael Appleton at the end of the campaign.

Bowery has therefore agreed a switch to Brisbane Road and signed a two-year deal with the option of a further year.

It adds to the forward options available to O’s manager Andy Hessenthaler ahead of the new League Two season.

He now has Jay Simpson, Paul McCallum, Ollie Palmer, Armand Gnanduillet, Scott Kashket and Bowery to call upon up front.

The Nottingham-born striker began his career with Derby County before moving to Chesterfield and breaking into their first team.

His displays for the Spireites earned him a move to Villa in 2012 and he remained with them for two years.

Bowery signed for Rotherham in the summer of 2014 and broke their transfer record, but left the club by mutual consent in January.

A successful spell with Oxford led to league rivals Notts County being linked with the forward last month.

He has opted to join Orient, however, and will hope to now play a part in another team earning promotion from League Two.