Barnsley FC release defender early to join 'improved' league
Barnsley have cancelled Barry Cotter's contract to allow him to join League of Ireland side Derry City.
The right-back or wing-back joined joined the Reds from Ipswich Town just over three years ago, but has only been able to make 29 league starts at Oakwell.
He spent the first half of the season on loan at Notts County, but has not played since September. The Magpies did not register him for the second half of the campaign.
The Republic of Ireland under-19 international started his career with Limerick before moving to England with Ipswich in 2018, but the Tractor Boys loaned him to Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic before selling him to Barnsley.
St Pat's and Waterford were both thought to have been interested in signing Cotter, whose Oakwell contract was due to expire in the summer.
Cotter is likely to make his debut at home to Waterford on Saturday. The Candystripes have won one, drawn one and lost the other of their first three games of the new League of Ireland season.
The 27-year-old thinks he is coming back to a stronger league.
“The standard of the league has improved again since I last played and when I saw the squad that the gaffer has assembled, it looked very strong," he said.
“It’s something that really appealed to me and I know I can help the team to challenge for trophies this season.
“I’m very much looking forward to getting started.”
Cotter’s final appearance for Barnsley was in May’s 4-2 League One win at Reading in the final match of the campaign.