New signing Reece Wabara says the ambition of Barnsley attracted him to the club and the relationship he's building with Lee Johnson could keep him there longer.

The 23-year-old left Doncaster Rovers at the end of last season and this week joined the Reds until December 31. Head coach Johnson has made a U-turn after revealing he declined signing Wabara when he was Oldham manager because he felt the player had distractions away from the game. He has now been convinced otherwise but former Manchester City trainee Wabara appreciates Johnson's honest approach.

Wabara said: "I love it. I'm happy that somebody is brutally honest because then we have a relationship where I can tell him how I feel. It's true (that Johnson turned him down). He had a chance to take me at Oldham and he said no due to what he perceived my personality was. Hopefully we've cleared that situation up now.

"We had a good two-hour chat and he talked about his football philosophy and what he thinks I can add to the team and how he can improve me and ultimately get me back to where he thinks I can play.  Barnsley match my ambition and drive."

Wabara, who says he can play at either full-back or wing-back, has a clothing business but says it is a good type of distraction. "My dream from being a kid was to be a Premier League footballer and that's still my aim.

"I do have a clothing line and it's going well. That's making use of my time outside football.  I think a lot players don't necessarily make the best use of their time and use it in detrimental factors like drinking or gambling."

He now hopes to impress enough to earn a longer-term deal. He added: "I think that's the plan for both parties.  Ultimately I need to go out on the pitch and show what I can do."

Johnson added: "We've put him on a contract where he's got to prove himself.  Football's told him to bump up the little inadequacies he's got in his game and let the real ability and quality flourish."