FORMER Braintree Town goalkeeper Ben Killip has signed for League One side Barnsley.

The 27-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Reds with an option of a further year, after leaving Hartlepool United.

Killip played for Braintree for one season in the National League after joining them from Grimsby Town before leaving to join Hartlepool United, in the summer of 2019.

 

Killip told the Barnsley website: “I’m delighted to be here.

"It’s a massive club and they had an amazing season last season and, unfortunately, fell short, but hopefully we can go one better this time.

 

“I had a couple of phone calls with Tom Fawdry [Director of Goalkeeping] and got on really well with him; he told me his ideas and beliefs, how he wanted to work, how the goalkeeping group works and what he sees for me for the season going forward, which all aligned with me.

“Hopefully I can come in here and play as many games as I possibly can.”

Braintree and Witham Times:

Killip formed an integral part of Braintree's ultimately unsuccessful battle to stay in the National League top flight in the 2018-19 season.

He finished the campaign as the Iron's captain, making 38 appearances and keeping ten clean sheets.

Killip’s good form for Braintree was also rewarded at international level as he won two caps for Paul Fairclough’s England C team, playing in games against Estonia Under-23s and Wales.

Braintree and Witham Times:

Meanwhile, Braintree played their first pre-season friendly, on Tuesday night, winning 1-0 at Essex Senior League side FC Clacton.

New signing Nnamdi Nwachuku scored the only goal of the game, in the second half.

Iron visit Ipswich Wanderers in another friendly, on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Alfie Payne has committed his future to Braintree but Matt Rush has left to join National League South side Aveley and Alfie Matthews has joined Hemel Hempstead.