FORGET BORUSSIA – GIVE ME COX BOYS ANYDAY!

CHAMPIONS League winners and eight-time Bundesliga champions, there aren’t many players who would turn down the lure of Borussia Dortmund, writes JON COUCH.

But for striker Harry Panayiotou, it’s the Bluebirds of Barrow and not Die Borussen that have won a place in his heart – and his much-vaunted signature.

The 21-year-old striker spent three weeks on trial at BVB and was offered a contract to star for the German giants’ Under 23 team.

Instead, however, the former Leicester City youth team product opted for a move to Holker Street following discussions with long-term admirer Paul Cox, who once tried to sign the pacey front man when manager of Mansfield Town.

Panayiotou, a St Kitts & Nevis international, progressed through the Leicester youth ranks alongside the likes of Andy King and Jeffrey Schlupp, and made just one senior appearance for the Foxes on the final day of the 2011-12 season against Leeds United, where he scored the winning goal.

After loan spells with Port Vale and Raith Rovers, Panayiotou accepted a three-week trial invite with Dortmund and trained with the likes of superstar teammates Andre Schurrle and Patrick Aubameyang.

But it was the lure of the National League Bluebirds which won the day – with manager Cox the deal breaker!

“It was the manager who persuaded me,” revealed Panayiotou, who is represented by Cox’s former player Jake Speight.

“I just wasn’t convinced with Dortmund and when I knew Paul Cox was in for me again, I knew I wanted to play for him.

“Paul wanted to sign me a few years ago and has always shown faith in my ability. I need to be playing under someone like that at this stage in my career – not to mention playing senior football instead of in the Under 23s.

“Barrow is a club heading in the right direction. Everyone is really friendly, it’s like one big family.

“Hopefully I can get a good run in the team and then repay the manager’s faith in me by scoring goals.”