Last updated at 12:33, Saturday, 18 July 2009

BARROW AFC last night completed the signing of England C defender Sean Newton.

ENGLAND STAR: Sean Newton has signed for Barrow from Droylsden

The 20-year-old left-back was due to make his debut today when the Bluebirds entertained Championship outfit Doncaster Rovers in a pre-season friendly at Holker Street (1pm kick-off).

A club statement read: “Barrow have finally been able to lodge the contract papers of Sean Newton.

“Newton made his international debut last season and is expected to be a regular in the AFC side this campaign.

“Barrow thought they had landed the young defender in May, but it has taken until today for the player to tie up his contractual loose ends with Droylsden, with whom he impressed last season.”

Newton will wear the number three shirt for the Bluebirds. His arrival means Carlos Logan – who featured for much of last season at left-back – will revert to his preferred wing position.

Newton is a product of the youth system at Chester City. He signed professional forms at the Deva Stadium in 2007.

He had a loan spell at Southport before joining Blue Square North rivals Droylsden.

In December last year Newton hit the national headlines, scoring both goals as the Bloods beat League Two Chesterfield 2-1 in an FA Cup second round replay.

It later emerged that Newton shouldn’t have played in the replay because he was supposed to be serving a one-game suspension.

The FA investigated and found Droylsden guilty of fielding an ineligible player. The Bloods were expelled from the competition.

Newton is Barrow’s fourth summer signing, following the arrivals of right-back Simon Spender, central midfielder Robin Hulbert and centre-half Phil Bolland.

The club have also agreed deals with centre-half Adam Dugdale and right winger Paul Rutherford.

The squad (including shirt numbers) to date is: 1 Tim Deasy, 2 Simon Spender, 3 Sean Newton, 4 Paul Jones, 5 Phil Bolland, 6 Robin Hulbert, 7 Andy Bond, 8 Mark Boyd, 9 Jason Walker, 11 Carlos Logan, 12 Mike Pearson, 14 Darren Sheridan, 15 Paul Rutherford, 16 Dave Bayliss, 17 Adam Dugdale.

First published at 10:52, Saturday, 18 July 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk