ROSS HANNAH has revealed he rejected the advances of Chester’s cross-border rivals in order to re-join the Blues.

The 31-year-old striker has signed permanently for th e Blues having been told by Barrow manager Paul Cox he was surplus to requirements at Holker Street, with Chester fighting off competition from newly-promoted Halifax and Dean Keates’ Wrexham for his signature.

Hannah is firmly established as a fans’ favourite at the Deva Stadium, having scored 26 goals during the 2015/16 campaign, and the move represents a serious shot in the arm for boss Jon McCarthy as he looks to replace the goals scored last season by out-of-contract striker James Alabi, who looks set to depart the club with Barnet and Dagenham interested in securing his services.

It cements an extremely positive 48 hours for the Blues, having signed Macclesfield Town captain Andy Halls on a one-year deal late on Tuesday.

“I’m old enough and wise enough to know by the end of last season that it wasn’t working at Barrow,” said former Grimsby Town forward Hannah.

“I had a chat with Paul Cox and he told me I wasn’t part of his plans. So I sat down with my family and decided what would be best, but Chester was always the place I wanted to return to.

“It was time to move on and I’m grateful for being given the chance by Paul, and for allowing me to leave.

“I’d spoken to Macca quite early on, I’ve got a close relationship with him so I knew the interest was there.

“I knew it would be a good move but there were a few other local clubs interested, with one being not too far away from Chester and who the fans don’t like that much!

“But I’m just glad to have got the deal done. Chester was the best place for me to go, it was the best option, the best club who showed an interest and I can’t wait to get back playing for the club.”

Hannah, who hails from Sheffield, feels he has ‘unfinished business’ at Chester and intends to show the same levels of commitment and energy in attack which endeared him to Blues’ supporters during his first spell with the club.

“That’s a massive thing about Chester,” he continued. “The effort that people put in around the place, the staff, the volunteers, it’s a special club and it was a difficult decision to leave 12 months ago.

“People make the club what it is and as players it’s important to give them something back on the pitch.

“I felt I did my best to do that in my season with the club, if you give your all to the club then the fans appreciate it. It’s a great club and it feels right to be coming back.

“It was a tough decision to leave but I’d do it again, it was the right decision at the time but it hasn’t worked out for one reason or another.

“Now I just want to hit the ground running. I feel I have unfinished business with Chester.

“I didn’t think I’d get chance to pull on the blue and white shirt again and I want to pick up from where I left off 12 months ago.”