NICKY Ajose has said he didn’t use Swindon Town as a stepping stone after signing for League One opponents Charlton Athletic this week.

The 24-year-old took a pay cut of almost 75 per cent when he had his contract terminated by Leeds United last September and returned to the County Ground.

It didn’t take long for Ajose to slot back into things as he scored on debut en route to netting 25 goals during the campaign, despite missing the first five games of the season, which put him firmly in the shop window this summer.

Despite wanting a move to a Championship club, Charlton showed interest in him at the end of May and after a fee was agreed between the two clubs, Ajose knew it was the logical next step for him.

The move has led the criticism from some quarters over the brevity of his County Ground stay, but the striker told the Swindon Advertiser: “For fans to say I have just come for a year to get off again and haven’t shown any loyalty is disappointing.

“I think that is a little bit naïve and a bit unfair because you have got to look at it from Lee Power’s point of view.

“He might not be everyone’s favourite but he has come and saved the club and is running a steady ship and the fact he has got me on a free and made however much he has made in nine months is pretty incredible really.

“I could have gone to other clubs at this point last year but I came to Swindon because I had been here before and the main reason was (Town boss) Luke Williams - he has always been first-class with me.

“The fact that I am moving on a year later, it wasn’t a case of me thinking I would go to Swindon and I’ll just go there for a year.

“I wanted to do my best for Swindon and then whatever happens, happens.

“I think it was well documented that I spoke to other clubs with more financial budget, so it wasn’t a case that I came to Swindon for any other reason than the football.

“Every footballer wants to try and test themselves at the highest level and try and get themselves as far up the pyramid as they can and I feel this is the next step for me to do that if we can get promotion.”