GOALKEEPER Steve Arnold has joined Barrow AFC on an 18-month deal.

The 28-year-old stopper was released from his contract with League One Gillingham – AFC boss Ady Pennock’s former club – earlier this month and has signed a contract at Holker Street taking him to the end of next season.

He has featured against Barrow in the past, for both Forest Green Rovers – under Pennock – and Dover Athletic, having previously been on the books of Norwich City, Grays Athletic, Eastleigh, Wycombe Wanderers and Stevenage Borough.

The former England C international joined the Gills last summer from Dover, but failed to make a single Football League start in his time at Priestfield. He did play twice in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Arnold came through the youth ranks at both Arsenal and Norwich, but did not make a first-team appearance for the Canaries before dropping into non-league with Grays.

He made 43 appearances for Forest Green Rovers – almost all under Pennock – helping them to the 2015/16 National League play-off final before joining Dover, where he played 30 league games last season.

Arnold becomes the third goalkeeper on the books at Holker Street, along with Joel Dixon and Stuart Moore.

Dixon has been preferred between the sticks by Pennock in recent weeks, with Moore not featuring in the team since the home defeat to Dagenham and Redbridge on December 9.