BARROW AFC new boy Katia Kouyate says he is itching to start repaying the club.

The former Everton youth player has signed a three-year deal with the Bluebirds following the end of his contract on Merseyside.

The 20-year-old says he is grateful to the faith shown in him by Barrow and aims to repay them on the field.

In an interview with the club’s official YouTube Channel, he said : “I honestly can’t thank the club enough.

“It’s massive to show the faith and the confidence that they have, so throughout my time here I’ll be repaying them back in the best way I can.

“I can’t wait. I’m itching (to get started) and can’t wait for the games to get going, and just kick on.

“It feels good, honestly, I can’t wait to get started. I just want to kick on really and show people what I’m about and what I’ve got to offer.”

Kouyate is the first signing of the Stephen Clemence era, and said he had already spoken to the new boss.

He added: “I spoke to the gaffer and we’ve gone through plans for the season. He seems keen to have me and I just want to get started, and basically repay him for having faith in me.”

The forward joined The Toffees at the age of eight and made his way through the youth ranks at Goodison Park.

Last summer he featured for the Everton first team on their pre-season tour, scoring against Swiss side, Stade Nyonnias during a 2-1 win.

Speaking about the experience of being alongside the first teamers at the Premier League outfit, he said: “I was just like a sponge really, just like suck it all in and get all the good traits from senior players, what to do, how to conduct myself, and just go from being a boy to a man.”

Having become a regular in the Everton Under-21 set up in the past two seasons, Kouyate also made eight appearances in the EFL Trophy – scoring from the spot against Morecambe in a penalty shoot-out in the 2022/2023 season.

Kouyate feels that experience of senior football in the competition has helped him to develop.

He said: “I like to test myself to the best of my ability and see if I can get the better of the man I’m playing against.

“It was a real eye opener tactically. Sometimes I can’t just rely on my natural strength, I had to be smart like movements in behind or movements to get on the ball, and then being able to face my man up and take him on one v one.

“I play anywhere across the front three, but predominantly on the left or down the middle. I’m a quick and direct player who likes to take people on one versus one, I like to make things happen and I like to get myself on the scoreboard.”