Barrow AFC have secured another trio of players for next season after midfielder John Rooney, defender Connor Brown and goalkeeper Johnny Saltmer all signed new contracts with the club.

Saltmer has agreed a one-year deal with the club, while Rooney and Brown have done likewise, with their contracts having the option for an extra year on top of that, as manager Ian Evatt continues to build his squad for the 2019/20 campaign.

They join club captain Josh Granite, winger Josh Kay, goalkeeper Joel Dixon, centre-back Sam Hird and striker Jack Hindle in having recently signed new contracts with the Bluebirds.

Rooney, the brother of England’s record goalscorer Wayne in case you hadn’t heard, reached double figures in terms of goals in what was his first campaign at AFC, a milestone achieved by a last-day double at Gateshead.

The 28-year-old began his career at Macclesfield Town and played for them in League Two before moving to MLS in America with New York Red Bulls, where Arsenal legend Thierry Henry was one of his teammates.

After short spells with Barnsley and Bury on his return to England, Rooney first moved into the National League with Chester in 2014 before making the switch to their fierce rivals Wrexham in 2016.

He then signed for Guiseley a year later and suffered relegation with the Yorkshire side before being one of many new arrivals at Barrow after Evatt took charge last summer.

Right-back Brown was another who was signed by the Bluebirds boss, after his release from York City, having previously been a teammate of Rooney’s at Guiseley.

The 26-year-old began his career at hometown club Sheffield United before spending four years at Oldham Athletic in League One, while he also had time on loan at Carlisle United.

He made 32 appearance, in all competitions, for the Bluebirds last season, although he is still searching for his first goal for the club.

Saltmer was signed as cover for Dixon in February, following the surprise departure of back-up goalkeeper Andy Firth to Rangers the previous month.

The 20-year-old former Hull City stopper has yet to make his debut for AFC, but supporters are likely to get a first glimpse of him during their pre-season friendlies in July.