Barrow AFC have announced the signing of highly experienced winger Tom Barkhuizen on a two-year deal following the expiration of his contract with Championship side Derby County.

Barkhuizen joins The Bluebirds off the back of a successful three-year stint at Derby, where he helped The Rams achieve promotion back to The Championship in the 2023/2024 season.

Speaking about Tom joining Barrow, Head Coach, Andy Whing said: “We’re really excited to be able to bring in someone of Tom’s quality.

“He’s had a fantastic career to date at a higher level, and he’s as ambitious as we are to help move the club forward.

“Tom can play in a number of forward positions and gives us something different with his directness and eye for goal.”

Barkhuizen came through the ranks at then Premier League side Blackpool, and during their singular season in the top flight, making a couple of appearances for Ian Holloway’s side in the domestic cups.

Following The Tangerines’ relegation to The Championship, Barkhuizen spent a year out on loan in League Two with Hereford United, bagging 11 goals in 38 outings.

Further loan spells at Fleetwood Town and Morecambe followed in the next two years before he joined The Shrimps permanently in the summer of 2015.

64 further appearances at The Mazuma Stadium followed over the following 18 months, bagging a combined 26 goal contributions.

Barkhuizen left Morecambe in November 2017 and joined Championship side Preston North End.

Over the next five years, the 32-year-old became an ever-present figure for North End, playing 209 games in all competitions while contributing a combined 59 goals and assists.

After a solid five-year stay in The Championship with Preston, he signed for Derby in the summer of 2022 following their relegation to the third tier.

In Barkhuizen’s second season with The Rams, he helped Paul Warne’s side achieve promotion to The Championship.

Last season, he played 22 matches across all competitions for Derby, taking his total appearances at Pride Park to 113.

Barrow start the League Two season on Saturday, August 2, with a trip to Chesterfield before welcoming MK Dons to the SO Legal Stadium on August 9.