MASON Bloomfield has heaped praise on Aveley manager Terry Spillane after securing a dream move back to Dagenham & Redbridge.

The 20-year-old striker has been in excellent form for the Millers since linking up with the Ryman North club in December, scoring eight goals.

His form caught the eye of Daggers boss John Still, after he was recommended to the National League powerhouses by his current boss, Spillane.

And Bloomfield, who came through the Dagenham academy, said he was very grateful to Spillane after a deal was completed last week.

“It has been pretty mad and happened so quickly,” he said.

“I went to training one Wednesday with Aveley in January and Terry pulled me aside and said would I be interested in going back.

“He has a good relationship with (Head of Recruitment) Terry Harris so I spoke to him and he said he would keep an eye on my progress.

“I got the invite a few weeks later.”

Bloomfield has been training with the Daggers since January 19, taking part in full training sessions, while turning out for Aveley at the weekend, scoring in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Dereham Town.

And he said he feels the increased training time has improved his game.

“I know Dagenham well and although it is a different management style to before I am loving it.” he said.

“I am a better player for it. The first couple of weeks I was really tired as it was so intense. I was training full-time but now I am used to it. I feel sharper.”

Bloomfield started at Dagenham when he was just 15, progressing through the ranks until he became a scholar.

He made his first-team debut on September 3, 2014 - coming off the bench for the last five minutes of a League Two match against Northampton Town.

But, having not secured a professional deal, he was loaned out - spending time at Chelmsford City, Billericay Town, Grays Athletic and Witham Town.

And Bloomfield said it was a stop-start season, as he started the next season at Brentwood Town in a new position.

“I cut my losses that season I started late in pre-season,” he said. “I went to Brentwood and I was moved from attacker to centre-back. It was a change for me but another chance to develop although it wasn’t long before I was moved back to a forward position.

“Then, in a game against Thurrock, I was taken off at half-time and it was a game that Terry (Spillane) was watching.

“He was actually watching another player (Hussain Jaffa - also now at Aveley) but instead I caught his eye and the club put a seven day approach in.

“It all sounded good and I just wanted to play.”

Bloomfield has been loaned back to Aveley until the end of the season, and he is now targeting a play-off tilt.

Although outsiders, Bloomfield says he can’t think of a better way of repaying the club and Spillane by securing a top five spot come the end of April.

“I wanted to stay at Aveley as we were pushing for the play-offs,” he said. “I wanted to give them something back. It means in pre-season I can go to Dagenham fitter and sharper.

“I owe a lot to many people at Aveley. I don’t have an agent but Terry has basically worked as that. He had confidence in me and continues to do so.

“It is a great club to be at.

“We should have won on Saturday but if we get a good run going it is not out of reach. We need some luck and I would love to get there.”