BARROW AFC boss Paul Cox saw no way of keeping Benjamin van den Broek at the club.

The winger has left after a short and uninspiring spell at Holker Street.

The Dutch-born player arrived at the Bluebirds in August, but failed to fire in six league starts and six substitute appearances.

He has been given leave to terminate his contract by mutual consent for personal reasons.

A club statement said: “His wife and young child have failed to settle in the UK and the club have now allowed them all to return home to the Netherlands.”

Cox admitted there had seemed little chance of van den Broek staying with AFC, having spoken to him during his six weeks in charge.

He said: “Since I have arrived at the club, I have spoken very closely with Benji.

“We sat down initially and Benji was telling me his frustrations. One was at not having a run in the side and the other was his wife being a little bit homesick.

“We’ve tried to be as compassionate as possible, but the reality is he wanted to go back to Holland and we need a player who is 100 per cent focused on taking us forward.

“It was best for both parties that an agreement could be reached and there was a parting of the ways.

“Benji is happy and we’re on the lookout now for somebody who can fill the void that is left with him going.”

Van den Broek scored his only AFC goal in the 1-0 FA Trophy first round victory at Sutton Coldfield Town last month.

The New Zealand international played only once after that – in the 2-2 draw at Lincoln City on December 19.

Barrow secretary Russell Dodd, who met van den Broek at the club’s Lancaster University training base to sign the cancellation papers, said: “Benji leaves with a heavy heart, but family is the most important thing, so we have agreed to let him return home.

“He has a Dutch club lined up. He thanked everyone at the club for all his time here and we parted on excellent terms. We wish him well.”

Van den Broek’s departure does leave the door open for Cox to hunt out a replacement during the transfer window, and the manager added: “We’ve got to be patient. It’s going to be a long month and sometimes we have to wait for some movement above us in the pyramid for that better calibre of player to become available.

“Patience is key with this month. There is going to be movement – obviously Benji has left and there might be more who leave the club and we’re looking to bring some quality not just into the starting 11, but into the squad as well.”