Accrington Stanley have announced the signing of a new striker – but he can only join the club once he’s served a week’s notice at his current job.

The Reds have snapped up prolific Leamington frontman Colby Bishop who scored 29 goals for the National League North side last season.

The 22-year-old has moved for an undisclosed fee and signed a three-year deal with option of a further 12 months.

But first he has to wrap up his time as a learning mentor and PE teacher at a primary school, Bilsthorpe Flying High Academy in Newark, Nottinghamshire.

Stanley boss John Coleman had to do something similar when the Reds turned professional.

“It’s sad to be leaving teaching but I am over the moon to be here.” Bishop told the club website.

“I have been working there for two years and have a really good relationship with the staff. I teach PE and am a learning mentor so I do a lot of one-to-ones with children who struggle.

“It’s a really good school, the kids will miss me and I think I am having a leaver’s assembly on Friday so it could be quite emotional. I have loved it there but it’s time to move on.

“I know the gaffer here (John Coleman) was a primary school teacher as well and I still have to go to work next week and he said he had to do the same thing for three weeks when Accrington turned professional so he does understand it. We have common ground.

 “It was a big decision to give up teaching but it was a decision that didn’t take a lot of thinking about, professional football is what I used to do and it’s what I have always wanted to do and I am looking forward to getting going.”

Former Notts County man Bishop leaves having scored 37 goals in 58 goals for Leamington, 29 of those coming on returning from a serious knee injury in October which had ruled him out for 10 months.

“I had an operation but since I came back at the end of October, I have played 90 minutes every game since and hopefully touch wood, it’s a new lease of life,” said the frontman, who first dropped out of the professional game aged 19.

“It was a good season last year, I ended up scoring 29 goals and hopefully I can recreate some of that form here.

“I had a couple of games at Notts County so I have had a sniff of EFL life, in fact I was on the bench for a game at Accrington.

“I know it’s faster but I know I am fit enough and I will work hard enough.”