NEW recruit Liam Hughes wants to repay the faith shown in him by Barrow boss Paul Cox over the next two years.

Hughes became AFC’s latest signing when he moved from Sottish Premiership side Inverness Caledonian Thistle last week.

The towering attacking midfielder has been pursued by Cox when he left Cambridge United in January, but chose instead to try his hand in the top-flight north of the border.

Five months later, that move had not worked out and Hughes was happy to reward the Bluebirds boss for his continued interest by signing a two-year deal at Holker Street.

Now the 6ft 4ins former Conference and FA Trophy winner hopes to show what he can do in a Barrow shirt, and said: “I knew there had been interest there last season.

“I’d played against Paul Cox’s sides in the past when he was at Mansfield and I knew what he was about. But when I knew there was interest there and I had the opportunity to go to Scotland, it seemed like a good time to attempt to go up there and see what it was like at this time in my career for that experience.

“When I knew I wasn’t going to be staying up there and that Paul was interested, it was the right thing to do to meet with him and speak to him.

“He sold the club. I like where the club is going. Not many people will know what the club want to do, but I think it is going in the right direction and I want to be on board and try and help it get there.”

He added: “For Paul to be as patient as he is, to have waited and to be understanding that I had to at least try to go up to Caley, is a massive factor and I’m very grateful to him for that. I would like to repay that faith.

“That’s one of the reasons why I joined. At the end of the day, me and my family want security, from one, but two I think that Paul gets the best out of players. He has proven that with the players he has had and moved on and you also only have to look at the results he had at the end of last year to see what he is about.

“For him to have wanted me for so long, it was the right thing for me to do to join Barrow.”

Hughes spent four years in the Conference with Cambridge, winning promotion with them in 2014 – when they completed the double by landing the FA Trophy.

The father-of-two – whose partner Stephanie is expecting the couple’s third child in December – believes that experience of the division can be an important factor next season.

He said: “Any player who has had games in that league and knows what it’s about is an asset. I’ve been lucky enough to play games in that division and the one above and play in Scotland as well.

“I’m still young, I’m still learning – I’m not saying I know everything, but I do know that level of football quite well. I’ve come to learn, I’m 23 years old and I think Paul can develop my game more and get the best out of me – that was a factor in joining.

“I think the experience of playing stands me in good stead and hopefully I can hit the ground running.

“I’ve got that experience, I’ve had a lot of games at this level. I’m energetic and I like to get about the pitch – not many many people will look at me and think that, but I’m 6ft 4ins and I do get about the pitch quite well.

“I like to get in the box and be on the right end of crosses and create chances. I think with the signings we’ve made and with what was already there, there is going to be a good balance to the squad and hopefully I can add some quality to what the group already has.”