NEW Everton signing Jermaine Beckford is itching for the chance to turn out in the Premier League – barely four years after playing non-league football.

Beckford completed his meteoric rise through the ranks yesterday by putting pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Goodison outfit.

Everton fought off interest from Newcastle United and Aston Villa for the 26-year-old forward, whose free transfer was brought forward after Leeds United cancelled the final month of his contract.

The Yorkshiremen had plucked Chelsea trainee Beckford from Isthmian Premier League side Wealdstone in March 2006 for a £45,000 fee.

He scored 31 goals for Leeds last season, including the winner against Bristol Rovers on the final day of the campaign that earned them promotion to the Coca-Cola Championship and took his tally to 85 in 150 appearances for the Elland Road outfit.

And after passing a medical at Finch Farm yesterday, Beckford said: “I’m looking forward to it very much and I wish the season was starting tomorrow! I met a couple of the boys at Finch Farm and they really made me feel welcome so I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the squad.

“Finch Farm is terrific and I really like it. It makes such a difference when you’ve got somewhere like this. I can imagine the players coming in here smiling and if you’re happy when you’re training, it can only be good.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to score goals at the clubs that I’ve been at and hopefully I’ll be able to do that here as well. I hope I’ll be able to hit the ground running.”

Beckford shot to national prominence earlier this year with goals at Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.