Barrow have made another signing in 26-year-old winger Ben Whitfield who has joined from Stockport County.
Although he’s moved on a free transfer County have retained a sell-on clause as part of the deal.
Whitfield joined County last summer from Torquay United, enjoying a fine start to life at Edgeley Park before suffering an unfortunate injury that disrupted his season. He had just scored at Bolton in the FA Cup.
He made 19 appearances in all competitions during the 2022/23 season, scoring three times, as the club were crowned Champions of the National League on the final day.
Stockport manager Dave Challinor said: “Ben moves on with everyone’s best wishes. I know it’s been a really tough decision that he’s had to make but ultimately after what he went through last season, playing regular football was a must for him this season.
“He had two really unfortunate injuries, the first in the act of scoring in my first game at Bolton and a niggle in returning from that fractured metatarsal. He worked his socks off to get back fit but found the team in really good form and couldn’t force his way in.
“He’s come back in great shape this pre-season but a combination of the system we have played and the players we have added have meant that the option to move to another EFL club and more opportunities to play was too good to turn down.”
Whitfield, who started his career in the Bradford City youth setup at just six, stayed at Valley Parade until he was 16, when he joined fellow Yorkshire outfit Guiseley.
His stay at Nethermoor was a short one, as he made a move south to join then-Championship side AFC Bournemouth just a couple months later, with Eddie Howe’s Cherries fighting off numerous top-flight clubs for Whitfield’s signature.
After a couple loan spells at Kidderminster Harriers and Yeovil Town, the 5ft 7in winger joined Port Vale on loan in August 2017. A successful season at Vale Park saw the Staffordshire side snap him up on a permanent basis for the following season.
The Yorkshireman spent time at Torquay United in 2019/20 and 2020/21, netting 13 times in 65 appearances.
Following his injury-marred season with Stockport he joins Barrow on a two-year contract and has chosen to wear the number 34.
