CHERRIES' new recruit David Brooks revealed he had been taking notes from two of the most talented players in Welsh history in a bid to star at the top level.

The 20-year-old expressed his admiration for Wales legends Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale following his £10million switch to the Dorset club from Sheffield United.

Brooks, a Manchester United fan despite previously being part of the youth ranks at Manchester City, said national manager Giggs had been one of his favourite players as a child.

He made his first appearance under the Dragons manager two months ago in front of more than 82,000 fans during a 0-0 draw with Mexico in Pasadena.

The attacking midfielder told the Daily Echo: “When you look at Ryan Giggs, he’s a massive legend within football and Manchester United.

“When you go away and train with him every day, it’s a massive thing and you have to take notes off him because he knows what he’s on about.

“He was one of my favourite players at Manchester United when I was growing up, so to be working alongside him is a great bonus.”

While he has not yet featured alongside Wales’s record goalscorer Bale throughout his three senior caps, Brooks has rubbed shoulders with the Real Madrid star as part of the international set-up.

He has also been likened to the 2018 Champions’ League final match-winner by former Sheffield United team-mate Chris Basham.

“I have been away with him (Bale) and been at training camps and things like that. You want to learn and take notes off him,” added Brooks.

“When you look at his progress, he went from Southampton to Tottenham and then on to Real Madrid.

“Every footballer will want to make that transition, you just have to look at his journey, take notes from it and try to do similar comparisons.

“You want to play at the highest level possible and that is the Champions' League, the World Cup and things like that. You want to do that wherever you may be.”

Brooks earned his senior international debut for Wales under Chris Coleman against France in November last year.

He was part of a youthful side to take on current World Cup stars Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Kylian Mbappe.

The youngster then made his first start for the Dragons against Panama four days later and picked up the man-of-the-match award.

Warrington-born Brooks qualifies for the nation through his mother Cathryn.

He had however chosen to represent England at last year's Toulon Tournament, having initially been named in both nations’ squads.

Explaining the situation, he said: “I did play for England last summer but, before then, I had expressed my interest to play for Wales.

“There was a mix-up and after the Toulon Tournament, I still wanted to play for Wales.

“Thankfully, they gave me the opportunity. When I meet up with the team they all push in the same direction and I want to be a part of it.”