MANAGER Carl Heeley has defended Worcester City’s decision to pay a fee to sign Connor Hughes from Halifax Town, insisting it made “good business sense” for the cash-strapped club.

The former Oldham Athletic winger joined City on an 18-month deal and is set to make his debut against AFC Telford United at the Victoria Ground on Saturday (3pm).

To prise the 23-year-old away from their National League North rivals, Worcester had to pay an “undisclosed fee”.

However, Heeley is confident it will be money well spent as he firmly believes City have now got a “quality player” on their hands.

“You have to look at the cost of the deal over the period he has committed to,” Heeley said. “Sometimes paying a fee is a positive.

“The aim is to develop players but if there is an opportunity to sell them on at a profit then it not only helps the player progress their career but it also makes good business sense for the club.”

Heeley continued: “One of the biggest frustrations I have is when we get good, young players out of contract because other clubs continually come in and pay them more money, so we lose them and don’t get to continue the development with them.

“Connor is at the right age, has got some experience of the league and is someone who can improve us.

“We want to build on what we have got here but to do that you have got to retain players and add to them and that’s the reason we have done that (deal) with Connor.”

Hughes has been on the books of League One side Oldham, making 10 appearances before being released and signing for Hyde in 2013.

After two seasons at Ewen Fields, the attacker moved to Halifax where he made more than 30 appearances, scoring four goals.

Heeley said Hughes’ ability to play in various positions and provide an “end product” made him an attractive proposition for 13th-placed City.

“We are striving to do better, so when a player comes up who can improve us then we will try to get them on board if we can and we have managed to do that with Connor,” Heeley said.

“It is not a case of what he has got that others haven’t but he’s direct, can go past people, he’s a fit boy and has got an end-product.

“I think at times we have certainly been guilty of getting into good positions and not having enough end product, so it’s an area we felt we could improve in.

“But he’s also flexible as he can play on either flank, up front or in a withdrawn striker role, so he gives us another option.

“I was alerted to his availability, so I spoke to his club and it probably took a couple of weeks but we have managed to get a deal done in the end we were happy with and I think we have got a quality player on our hands.”