A FRIGHTENING talent with huge potential is how Barrow AFC boss Paul Cox sees new signing David Fitzpatrick.

The 22-year-old former AFC Wimbledon and Torquay United right-winger arrived at the Bluebirds on a one-year deal as Cox’s latest new recruit.

Fitzpatrick – whose deal includes the option for a second season, based on appearances – was released by the Dons at the start of the summer, with Barrow winning the race for his signature.

Cox is delighted to have the Londoner – a product of the youth academies at both Fulham and Queens Park Rangers – on board at Holker Street, having spotted him during a three-month loan spell at Torquay last season.

“He’s only 22, so we’ve got a player, I think, at the right age, with the right potential, but also with the right kind of experience for what we want,” said Cox of a man who played 13 for the Gulls in the National League last season, scoring three goals.

“I think there is so much more to come from David. The potential of the player is absolutely frightening. He’s another one we hope to bring in and to see grow, to expand as a human being and as a footballer as well.”

He added: “He’s a modern-day footballer – he’s quick, he’s powerful, and he really looks after his body. But it was the lad’s directness that first caught our eye. People who look at Jordan Williams will know the kind of player I like. I love people to attack, to put opponents on the back-foot, to score goals and create them. It’s those little parts of his game that really opened my eyes early on.

“Don’t get me wrong, there is scope for the lad to improve. But when I met the boy, I just knew that he was full of desire to improve and to want to progress.

“He’s one who excites me. He’s young, he’s dynamic, but he knows he has things to improve on before he earns the right to go back into the Football League.”

Fitzpatrick has spent three seasons with Wimbledon, but found his first-team chances limited over that period.

He spent a spell on loan with Isthmian Premier League Tonbridge Angels in 2015 and then Torquay United last season – though he did not play in either encounter with the Bluebirds.

The wideman played just six times for the Dons last season following his return from the Gulls, with Cox moving in to snap up his services.

The AFC boss said: “I spoke to the boys at Wimbledon. They speak very highly of him, but it was a case that they had a 22-year-old lad there who needs to be playing regular football.

“That’s the kind of thing at our level, at our club, that we have to thrive on.

“We have to look at these situations where, at 21, 22 years of age, all of a sudden you’re not playing 40-odd games a season, then you’re looking to move on.

“Taking some of the potentials and mixing them with that little bit of good experience is the way forward for the football club.”