The 22-year-old Frenchman has impressed Blues boss Simon Davies during his trial period at the club and played in central midfield for City in Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat at home to Carlisle United.

The player was released by French League club AS Nancy last season.

Club owner, Stephen Vaughan said: "This is a signing that shows that Chester and myself have ambition.

"Damien has been with a top club in France, but he now wants to extend his footballing experience by playing in England.

"Hopefully the supporters will get behind us, and give Simon and his squad their full backing.

"We have invested in a number of new players this season and the club is buzzing.

"We have opened a club shop in the city centre which, as well as creating extra revenue, will hopefully give the club a greater profile in the community.

"Our new training facility has been a great success and the club is on the up."

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes says he is prepared to stay at City and fight for a starting place despite having his CV sent by the club to League One, League Two, and Blue Square clubs.

The central midfielder, together with Chris Holroyd and Paul Rutherford, who have also had their names circulated to other clubs, faces a testing time in their bid to win a regular place on the Blues' teamsheet.

Rutherford is currently on a one week trial at AFC Bournemouth, while Holroyd rejected a trial period at Bournemouth after turning down a move to Cambridge United.

Hughes attracted interest from Barnet earlier this month, but failed to agree personal terms with the north London club and has now agreed to battle for his place at Chester.

He said: "I heard from the gaffer a week or so ago that Barnet were interested in signing me.

"The gaffer allowed me to go down there and speak to them, but unfortunately they were nowhere near my personal terms.

"But it wouldn't have been easy for me to move away from Chester in the first place and things didn't work out so I can forget about that now.

"We've got two games left before the start of the season and I need to start to prove myself.

"It's like being on trial all over again. I know I played regularly last season at Chester, but there are a number of players that have been signed and I'm now hungrier than anyone to secure my place.

"There is lots of competition for places in midfield, but that's what I enjoy because that situation is healthy.

"There was a chance of me leaving Chester at the weekend, but I'm definitely not going anywhere now.

"I want to prove myself and get my fitness back to where it was last season so that I can have confidence in my ability to win one of those three places in midfield."

Ask Davies

If you have a question for Chester City's Simon Davies email it to digitalnews@nwn.co.uk and we'll ask as many as we can during our next weekly video interview with the Chester boss.