Town keeper Cieran Slicker has joined League Two Barnet on a season-long loan.

The Scotland international has long been pencilled in for a move away from the Blues during the season ahead to gain first-team experience.

The 22-year-old has made only two senior cup starts and one brief sub appearance - the latter his only domestic game last season - for Town since joining from Manchester City in the summer of 2023, in addition to three cup games for Rochdale during a loan spell there in 2022/23.

The Manchester-born keeper made his full Scotland debut as a sub in a friendly against Iceland in June, a game which proved to be something of a baptism of fire. He qualifies for the Scots through his Glaswegian father.

Last month, manager Kieran McKenna explained his plans for Slicker after the Blau-Weiß Linz friendly, the keeper not having been with the squad in Austria.

“Cieran Slicker’s looking at options for loans,” he said. “So, all being well, with David [Button] coming in, the plan will be for him to go and get some first-team experience this year, which he’s definitely ready for, and get some games.”

Barnet head coach Dean Brennan said: “Part of our recruitment policy this year was to have two players in every position and Slicks gives us that.

“Obviously, we’ve tracked and monitored him for a long time. We had the opportunity to do a deal this week and I felt it was a good time to do it – I felt it was the right thing for the group.

“I believe that he’ll upgrade that department and that’s how we raise the bar and keep pushing each other and how we upgrade our team.

“I feel Slicks will definitely do that. We just want him to come in and do what he’s good at.

“Ipswich have been very good to deal with and he’s with us for the season, so let’s see how he gets on.”

Coincidentally, Slicker could make his Barnet debut against Town's Carabao Cup opponents Bromley with the Bees at the Hayes Lane on Saturday.

The keeper, who joins former Town full-back Myles Kenlock and ex-striker Oli Hawkins at The Hive, is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2027 having signed a new deal in September last year.

Photo: Matchday Images

Runner added 17:06 - Aug 7 The 29 shirt numbers being released the other day had us with 5 goalkeepers, we know someone was away.
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jas0999 added 17:06 - Aug 7 A great move for him! Hope it works out.
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Bazza8564 added 17:07 - Aug 7 Needs to play, his Scotland debut showed that. I hope he does well im convinced he has a future here. 22 is just a kid for a keeper
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timkatieadamitfc added 17:32 - Aug 7 Should have gone to a league 1 club at least, or even one of the promoted teams from league 1 last year, should be playing higher level than league 2, too good for that imo.
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jazzback added 17:38 - Aug 7 For a player not having played many games, this is a good move. Get some game time and experience. Needed to forward his career. Future number 1
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WeWereZombies added 17:45 - Aug 7 Let's hope he battles his way to being their first choice keeper and has a full season of appearances, that way he can leave Barnet on a high...
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blueboy1981 added 18:59 - Aug 7 He deserves to be playing regularly, but I would have thought at a higher level - but well done Barnet for giving him the opportunity. He should do you proud.
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