TERRY BRADY and Andy King have failed in an audacious bid to re-sign one of Town's favourite sons.

Jan Aage Fjortoft was contacted by the chairman on Friday afternoon with a view to signing the Norwegian striker.

Mr Brady, who took over the club in the summer, is keen to boost attendances and give Andy King extra firepower.

Fjortoft signed for Town in 1993 as they prepared to do battle in the Premier League.

He scored 39 goals in 87 appearances and endeared himself to the club's fans.

However, he will not be returning after already agreeing to join his home-town club in Norway for his final season in the game.

The 33-year-old is ready to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign and admitted he would have loved a County Ground return had the situation been different.

Mr Brady said: "We spoke with Jan after a discussion with the Evening Advertiser. They told me that Jan was a big hero with the fans and I decided to see if we could get him back here.

"Andy King was keen to sign him and so we did our best. He has already agreed to go back to Norway when his contract in Germany runs out. He has talked it over with his wife and they go back in two weeks.

"He did say that he would have come back had we called him in the summer, but the timing was just not right for him.

"He was a nice lad and he has offered to do a bit of scouting for us over in Norway. If he sees any players that we might like, he will give us a call.

"We wanted to bring him back for the fans, but we will keep on trying to find new players.

"The search does not stop here."