Barnet sign loan trio

Brighton & Hove Albion's George Barker has signed for Barnet on loan. Photo credit: Joe Giddens/EMPICS

Thursday, November 22, 2012
6:20 PM

Transfer news: Barnet have announced three loan signings of Andy Iro from Stevenage, George Barker from Brighton & Hove Albion and Melvin Holwijn who joins on non-contract terms.

All three deals are for a two month period and all will be in contention to be involved in Saturday’s League Two encounter at Cheltenham.

Liverpool-born Iro, a 22-year-old centre-back, joins from Stevenage, who he joined in September after spells in the North America with Columbus Crew and Toronto.

Joint head coach Mark Robson told barnetfc.com: “Andy has played much of his career in the MLS and came over to Stevenage in the summer.

“I’d previously spoken to Stevenage manager Gary Smith in the summer about an opportunity to have got Andy and now we’re now delighted to have him in on loan to further strengthen our defensive line.

“He’s 6ft 5ins, has plenty of experience and we hope he’ll be an asset for us at both ends of the pitch.

Director of football Paul Fairclough added: “Andy is a big strong centre half who made his name in the MLS and brings a wealth of experience and gives us further options especially when Krystian Pierce returns to his parent club.”

Barker, 21, is a striker but has found opportunities limited at Brighton with the influx of foreign and experienced players. Nevertheless he has scored 12 goals in all competitions for the development squad.

Robson said: “George is a young forward from Brighton who has come through their youth system who potentially has a lot to offer us.

“He’s a natural goalscorer that hasn’t been given an opportunity at Brighton due to the quality of their first team strikers, but we hope that by coming here to Barnet that he’ll gets the opportunity to show his qualities and to give us another option up front.”

Fairclough added: “He is a fast exciting young forward who is sure to make an impact at Underhill.”

Holwijn is a 32-year-old Dutch striker who can also play out wide. He has played his football in Holland, Greece and Germany and is known for his speed. He joins on non-contract terms and the club are waiting on international clearance issues to be resolved.

Fairclough said: “Melvin is an exciting and very quick, rapid forward.”