Shrews manager Ratcliffe told the 23-year-old Wales B defender, “You helped keep us in the Nationwide League last season. Now you’ve joined a club that’s going up.”

Poised to make his City debut in tomorrow’s promotion clash with Brighton at Withdean Stadium, Hughes signed for Shrewsbury in October 1999 on a free transfer from Aston Villa, who will collect £225,000 from the Cardiff deal.

“Kevin informed me of Cardiff’s interest after Saturday’s 1-l draw with Hartlepool and on Tuesday I was told the clubs had agreed a fee,” said the 6ft 4in centre-back.

“I came to Cardiff to discuss terms on Wednesday. Nobody had to twist my arm to make me sign. Leaving Villa for Shrewsbury was a calculated step back to further my career. Now I feel I have made a giant stride forward. Although Kevin would have liked me to stay at Gay Meadow, and I loved the little club, he said it was the best move I could make at this stage.

“Kevin told me, ‘I can tell you from personal experience that Cardiff City has unlimited potential and could become a massive club.’

“For me it has to be the biggest club in the lower sections. It should be in one of the top two divisions. With Sam Hammam’s backing, there’s no reason Cardiff shouldn’t get there.”

Signed by Villa as a 16-year-old trainee, Hughes made seven Premier-ship appearances - his debut coming against Liverpool.

“I felt I was making steady progress when Brian Little was in charge,” said Hughes. “Then there was a change of manager and a change of opinion. Things weren’t going for me under John Gregory. This can happen when a new man comes in. I had signed a long-term deal with Villa and they never said they wanted to get rid of me.

“I was never going to get anywhere with Villa, so I decided to gain some league experience with Shrewsbury. I knew what I was getting into. It was very difficult last season. Having to win the last match to stay in the league was very traumatic.

“But I’ll never forget the joy on the fans’ faces after we won 2-l at Exeter. Kevin Ratcliffe is an excellent coach who has taught me a lot. He made me his skipper two months ago. Wearing the captain’s armband was an honour.

“I took a very big drop in pay when I left Villa. Now I have a three-and-ahalf-year contract with one of the most ambitious clubs in the land.

“Things have worked out well for me. I can’t thank Kevin and his predecessor Jake King, who signed me, enough for the help they’ve given me.

“Now I’m relishing a new challenge. I realise there’s strong competition for places. I don’t expect to walk straight into a team that kept a clean sheet in the last match against Rochdale.