Alfie Mawson's praise of Barnsley helped his former Swansea City team-mate Ryan Hedges decide to join the Reds on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The 21-year-old winger signed on the final day of the transfer window last week from the Premier League club, who bought centre-back Mawson from Barnsley in August.
Hedges, who spent most of this season on loan at League Two Yeovil Town, told the Chronicle: "I spoke to Alfie a few times when I went back to Swansea and he was very positive about Barnsley so, when the chance came to join them, I jumped at it.
"I played with Otis Khan, who was at Barnsley last season, at Yeovil and he spoke highly of the club as well. You only have to look at how they developed a player like Alfie to know that it is a good place for a young footballer to learn their trade.
"He's playing every week in the Premier League now and that's where I want to be as well. Hopefully that can be with Barnsley. I know Paul Heckingbottom gives young players a chance and that was a big reason I came here, as well as the chance to play in the Championship.
"This season I just want to play as many games as I can and help the team get as high as we can."
Hedges scored five goals in 28 games for Yeovil including a 2-0 success against Reading under 23s in the Checkatrade Trophy at the Madejski Stadium, where Barnsley play tomorrow against the third-placed Royals first team.
"I've already won there once so hopefully I can do it again," said Hedges, who made his Reds debut on Saturday.
"We're all looking forward to the game and, you never know, we could cause an upset at a team higher than us in the league at the moment."
