Barnsley have confirmed the signing of former Blues full-back Barry Cotter from Shamrock Rovers on a three-and-a-half-year deal.

The Tykes, who are sixth in League One, are understood to have paid a fee of £20,000 for the 24-year-old, who spent much of the last League of Ireland season on loan at St Patrick’s Athletic.

“It’s so exciting,” the Irishman told the official Barnsley website. “It’s a great opportunity, I’m absolutely buzzing. I can’t wait to hit the ground running. It’s a huge club, there’s great history. I’m over the moon.”

Khaled El-Ahmad, CEO of the South Yorkshire club, added: “We are pleased to bring Barry to Oakwell.

“We look forward to seeing him work with [manager] Michael [Duff] and the staff out on the training pitch and wish him a warm welcome to the club.”

Ennis-born Cotter joined the Blues from Limerick in January 2018 and made his debut in Mick McCarthy’s final game in charge, the 1-0 victory over, coincidentally, Barnsley in April of the same year.

He came on as a late sub in the 4-0 win at Reading in the final away game of that season but didn’t feature at all during 2018/19.

Cotter, who had two spells on loan at Chelmsford while with the Blues, scored the winning penalty in the shoot-out in the Leasing.com Trophy tie at Peterborough on his 21st birthday in November 2019, with his final Town appearance later that month in the 2-1 home FA Cup defeat to Coventry. In total he made three starts and one appearance from the bench.

Having been released by the Blues in March 2021, Cotter had a spell on trial at Bromley before joining Shamrock Rovers that August.

Photo: Action Images

Suffolkboy added 16:47 - Jan 18 Excellent to see a young man showing continuing progress and looking as though he'll at the very least have the opportunity to further a Professional career ! Not everything happens to ore -determined schedules and ‘expectations ‘ - so every good wish , COYB
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barrystedmunds added 17:09 - Jan 18 I'm neither fazed one way or another about this and I know players have to say the right things but really?? “ They're a huge club with a great history “ !!! Errr… no they're not!
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Linkboy13 added 17:47 - Jan 18 Got to be a case of mistaken identity surely.
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BrettenhamBlue added 19:36 - Jan 18 Has made great progress.
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leftie1972 added 19:57 - Jan 18 Could be a very astute acquisition!
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Talbs77 added 20:25 - Jan 18 I have to say I really don't give a flying toss about where Cotter has ended up. Wish him the best but I won't sleep any better tonight knowing this information. What is keeping me up at night however is Oxford away and our current form. Is it me or do the next 4 games feel like the “shat or bust” category?
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buzbyblue added 21:00 - Jan 18 More relevant is all the chatter online yesterday from Rangers (inc. their manager) about Whittaker & a bid lodged of £1.5 million with the player seemingly keen to make the switch up north
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