NEW Accrington Stanley signing Julien N'Da is looking forward to his first season in English football.

The 20-year-old defender put pen to paper on a six-month deal with the Reds in a whirlwind 24 hours this week.

N'Da flew in from Paris on Wednesday morning, was driven to Accrington Stanley after manager John Coleman picked him up from the airport, then whisked back shortly after signing to catch a return evening flight to Charles de Galle airport from Liverpool.

It's a measure of how keen Coleman was to sign the former Niort stopper, who impressed in a post-season friendly at Clitheroe on May 1. But it's also an indication of the impact the club has had on N'Da, who turned down an offer from Championship side Luton Town to join the Reds revolution.

Other clubs had also expressed an interest in N'Da, who has been involved with the Ivory Coast Under 21 set-up.

But he shunned their approaches in favour of a move to the Fraser Eagle Stadium, where he will renew acquaintances with former team-mate Romuald Boco.

The duo were first together at N'Da's home-town club, Niort, in western France.

And N'Da revealed the popular midfielder played a part in his decision to sign for the Conference champions.

"Rommy called me and asked me to play in a match, so I came over, played, and that was it," he said.

"He had told me a lot about the club, so it was a chance for me to see the team and the players and they are very good.

"I speak little English so I'm sure Rommy will help me to settle in."

He added: "It will be the first time I have played in England so I'm looking forward to it.

"I like football in England because it is more physical than in France.

"It will be good to play in League Two.

"Accrington is a good club, I like the manager, and everyone is very ambitious."

Coleman is equally as excited about introducing N'Da to English football.

"He did well in the friendly and I think he will fit in well to the team," he said.

"He's a defender but can also play in a couple of other positions, like Rommy. I wouldn't be scared to put him into midfield.

"He seemed to settle into the team straight away and he seems to have a nice demeanour about him."

Coleman confirmed that N'Da's arrival did not affect his plans to keep hold of central defender Michael Welch, who is the only out-of-contract player from last season who has yet to agree terms.

"I'm hoping to speak to him this week," Coleman added.