ADI Yussuf would not have come to Barrow AFC if there was not the ambition to win the National League – and he plans to start firing in the goals soon to help them towards that aim.

The 24-year-old Zanzibari has been at Holker Street for less than two weeks, after joining on a free transfer from League Two Grimsby Town.

Yussuf netted in his pre-season debut at Stockport County, on the day his signed for the club, but has been frustrated so far in his two National League outings.

He came close in both the 2-1 defeat at Dagenham and Redbridge on the opening day and in Tuesday's stalemate against FC Halifax Town at Holker Street, but was denied by goalkeepers Mark Cousins and Sam Johnson.

Yussuf is confident he can be a regular scorer in the National League for the Bluebirds, and the former Leicester City youth is looking for success all-round for the team this year.

“We want promotion – there is no point playing football if you don't expect the highest,” said Yussuf. “I've come here so I can help the team win the league.

“The gaffer (AFC manager Paul Cox) has done it before, and he told me his intentions, and that's why I came.”

Yussuf will be looking to get off the mark for his new club when Woking visit Furness on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

He is confident his first goal will lead to more, and he added: “I always believe I can score, I just have to work hard and see what happens.

“I should be one two or three, but these things happen, and I'm sure if one goes in, the rest will follow.”

Yussuf was one of several AFC players to arrive late in pre-season.

As such, the squad are still getting to know each other, having played together as a whole for the first time in the opener at Dagenham.

Yussuf knows it will take time for the team to gel, but feels things are only going to get better, while recognising there are no easy games in the division.

He said: “I don't know all of the boys yet, and we've had Saturday, Tuesday, so it has been hard to get to know everyone, but considering everyone is new, I think we have done well, and Tuesday's game proved we are a good team.

“It takes time to gel, that happens with any team, it doesn't happen overnight.

“I don't think it has been a difficult start. We've lost and we've drawn, and I think we played well on Tuesday, and the team look like we can do well. We've not had the start we wanted, but I wouldn't say it had been difficult – it is only going to get better.

“This league is hard, every game is a hard game, but we will just take each game as it comes.”

As for settling in with the Bluebirds, Yussuf knows several of the other members of the squad – he played alongside Harry Panayiotou at Leicester and Thierry Audel at Lincoln City – as well as assistant boss Micky Moore, who was with him at both Mansfield Town and Grimsby.

“Everyone has made me feel feel welcome,” he said. “Having Micky and the gaffer believing in me helps. Micky has always believed in me, for three or four years he has believed in me – that has made me feel more comfortable.”