NATHAN Arnold insists he is a far more "complete player" than during his previous stint with Grimsby Town.
The pacy attacker became the Mariners' fifth summer addition at the weekend, joining for the season from parent club Cambridge United.
But it is not his first time training with and playing for Town.
In 2009 and following his release by hometown club Mansfield, Arnold was given a trial by then Mariners boss Mike Newell.
The 21-year-old, as he was, travelled with the squad to Devon for the Errea South West Challenge Cup – a pre- season competition against the likes of Luton, Rushden & Diamonds, Yeovil and Wycombe.
Despite netting a couple of goals in the south west, Arnold was unable to earn a contract, and went on to play for Hyde and Alfreton before last summer's switch to the Abbey Stadium on a two-year deal.
And the winger/striker believes he is a completely different prospect from the young lad who came to Town five years ago.
"I was only a youngster when I had my trial at Grimsby," he told the Telegraph. "I hadn't played many games at that level and the club was in League Two at the time.
"We went somewhere down south for a pre-season tournament, but my time at the club was cut short.
"Now, I'm in a good place as a footballer and a person, and feel equipped to make the most of this chance.
"I've got that experience and am definitely more of a complete player than I was back then."
Having seen the club from the inside, Arnold needed little convincing that the Mariners were the right move.
He continued: "The first I heard of Grimsby's interest was on Friday morning when I got into training down at Cambridge.
"The footballing director and manager grabbed hold of me and said that Grimsby had contacted them on Thursday night.
"As soon as I found out there was an opportunity for me to go, I spoke with Paul Hurst and everything was sorted pretty quickly.
"The fact that I know Craig Disley and Paul Hurst as well was a big factor. The Cambridge captain, Ian Miller, was at Grimsby and also spoke very highly of the club.
"Everyone I've spoken to about Grimsby Town have 'bigged' them up, and everyone knows about their following and fan-base.
"I came across them in the league as well during my time at Mansfield, so I know a fair bit about them."
He added: "At Cambridge, we always knew that Grimsby would be one of the other teams up there challenging.
"That was one of my reasons for coming here. I wouldn't have just joined any club and, after speaking to the boss at Cambridge, we mutually agreed that Grimsby would be the best way forward for me."
Explaining why a permanent switch to Blundell Park was always going to be tricky, Arnold remarked: "The manager at Cambridge put me up for transfer and I had an inkling that a season-long loan deal would be the likely move.
"With my wage increasing due to promotion, it was always going to be a barrier against a permanent move. So I was expecting to go out on a loan deal somewhere.
"There were a few other options and Cambridge put all the offers on the table – then it was just about making the right decision for me.
"With me originally being from the north, Grimsby was an appealing option for me, and the club itself was a big draw."
