STRIKER Adi Yussuf and goalkeeper Stuart Moore have left Barrow AFC.

Moore, 23, asked to be released by the Bluebirds so he could play regular football. The announcement of his departure comes days after Barrow signed stopper Steve Arnold on contract until the end of next season.

Yussuf leaves the club just six months after arriving at Holker Street, and less than three months on from scoring his first senior hat-trick for the club.

Yussuf, who is set to join National League rivals Solihull Moors, has drawn a line under his time with the Bluebirds, having made 25 appearances – including 16 starts – this season.

His hat-trick against Aldershot on October 28 – a day after manager Ady Pennock took over at the Bluebirds – made up half of his goal-tally for the campaign, with his last strike coming in the 3-3 draw at Wrexham on New Year's Day.

That was also his last start, and one of only two since the start of December, as Pennock has looked to Byron Harrison, Grant Holt and Jordan White to be his three main men in attack.

Barrow also signed forward Luke James on loan from Forest Green Rovers until the end of the season on Friday.

That has allowed former Grimsby Town striker Yussuf – who had yet to trigger a clause in his contract which would have seen in extended for another season – to pursue regular first-team football with the Moors, who climbed to within four points of Barrow in the final National League relegation spot with victory over Woking on Saturday.

Pennock said: “Adi wasn't getting regular football, and it was just a football decision. He wanted to play regularly.

“He's a cracking lad, a lovely lad, and I want to wish him all the best for the future.”

Moore started the season as first-choice at Holker Street, having signed on under former manager Paul Cox during the summer. He is expected to rejoin Cox at Guiseley, the Lions having lost keeper Jonny Maxted to Accrington Stanley last week.

The ex-Luton Town stopper started the opening 11 matches of the season, before Joel Dixon returned from injury and went on to feature in the next seven games.

Moore did return between the sticks for the first game after Pennock arrived – the 3-1 win over Aldershot in October – and kept his place for seven games, before Dixon became first-choice again in mid-December.

He had not played since the 1-0 loss to Dagenham and Redbridge on December 9, and leaves AFC with 18 appearances and five clean-sheets to his name.

Pennock said a desire to play regular football had led to Moore's departure, and added: “We'd like to thank him for what he has done for the football club, and wish him all the best for the future.

“He has been brilliant, but he wants to play first-team football and I couldn't guarantee him that.

“My arm was forced a bit, so that was why we brought Steve in. There was discussion with Stuart and his agent, but he wanted to leave.”