PAUL Cox will have to step up his French lessons after adding a second Parisian to his Barrow AFC ranks.

The Bluebirds boss fought off competition from Sutton United and other National League clubs to land the 29-year-old midfielder on a one-year deal, with the option for a second.

Cox described it as his 'hardest signing', as Sutton were determined to keep hold of their man, who made more than 100 appearances for the Gander Green Lane club.

But Gomis put pen to paper this week, joining compatriot Moussa Diarra in the AFC ranks and following Asa Hall and Dan Jones in completing deals with the club this week.

Cox is thrilled to have the former Lens junior – who has also had spells with Spanish clubs Puertollano and Almeria and a brief stint at Southend United – comparing him to last year's successful loanee Ryan Yates, who dazzled for the Bluebirds during a three-and-a-half-month stay from Nottingham Forest.

“It was Bedsente's spec that we were looking for,” said Cox. “We looked at the situation with Ryan Yates last year – the energy he gave us in midfield, the legs he gave us in midfield, the ability to cover every blade of grass.

“From the first minute I saw Bedsente when we played them down at Sutton, it was a similar scenario to what I heard about the boy Kante at Chelsea, where I thought there were four of him. I looked at the number eight on his back, and one minute he was here, the next he was there, then he was over there. I thought 'wow, this boy has the energy, the legs, the desire to really get around the park and really affect the game'.

“He's a modern-day footballer in terms of his energy, the ability to cover every blade of grass. I think that's something that we lacked when Ryan Yates had left the club. I'm not saying that he is Ryan Yates, but he is in that mould of energy, that ability, and his personality. He has that desire and he just rubs off on people.

“I got the staff to watch the FA Cup games, and we were all of the same opinion that this boy affects the game.

“He's one of these players who you don't realise what he does until he's not in the side. I go back to the Forest side under Brian Clough that won the European Cups. They had a guy called John McGovern, and people would ask what he did, but it was only when you take him out of the side that you realise just what a big hole they leave,.

“Bedsente was probably the hardest one. Sutton wanted to nail him down for a couple of years, and there was competition as well from other clubs around there. But we spoke to him early, it has been ongoing and ongoing, and we've finally got our man. He will be a positive addition.”

Gomis, Hall and Jones follow completed deals for forward Jordan White and midfielder Bradley Bauress last month, with the aim to have the majority of a squad of 22 in place by the start of pre-season.

While that quintet have signed on for Barrow, winger Elliot Newby has rejected the offer of a new contract to join National League North side AFC Telford United.

Newby found himself unable to break into the first team last season, and instead spent loan spells with Workington and Altrincham.

However, Cox was impressed with what he saw from the youngster and offered him the chance to remain.

Newby has chosen to turn down that opportunity and will be part of the set-up at the Bucks next season.