FORMER Ireland U21 international JJ Melligan was one of several new arrivals at Brisbane Road prior to the 2007/08 season, opting to turn down the offer of a new contract at Cheltenham Town in favour of moving to east London.

Melligan, a right winger with an eye for goal, failed to hit the heights during his first year at Brisbane Road and was made available for by manager Martin Ling in May.

But having returned to pre-season training in fine fettle, Melligan was removed from the transfer list and he is determined to have a successful 2008/09 campaign.

JJ moved from Ireland to take up a scholarship with Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1998 and he caught the eye with a number of loan spells away from Molineux, most notably during the 2002/03 season, when he scored 12 goals in 32 games for Kidderminster Harriers.

He also turned out for Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers during his time at Wolves, before moving to Cheltenham Town for a £25,000 fee in July 2004.

Melligan continued to find the net on a regular basis for the Robins, scoring 18 goals in 135 games for the Whaddon Road club.

He won promotion to League One in the 2006/07 season and helped Cheltenham settle into life in League One the following campaign, but decided that it was time for a new challenge and Ling was delighted to add the Irishman to his squad.

JJ Melligan
Squad No: 7
Position: Midfielder (R/C)
Place and Date of Birth: Dublin (Ireland), February 11 1982
Height and Weight: 5.09 / 12.04
Full Orient Debut: Away v Southend United (W2-1, August 11 2007)