Barrow AFC have signed Kerr Smith on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Scottish centre-back will wear the number 43 shirt at The SO Legal Stadium this upcoming season.

Speaking about signing for Barrow, Smith said: “I’m absolutely delighted to get going, get on the training pitch, start playing games, and I just think it’s a good move for me in terms of where I’m at in my career.”

The Dundee-born defender came through the youth ranks at local side Dundee United, and he made his competitive debut for the Scottish Premiership side at just 16 years of age during a clash with Rangers at Ibrox.

Across the following 11 months, Smith continued to show maturity beyond his years, making a total of 12 appearances for The Tangerines before being snapped up by Aston Villa in January 2022.

The Scottish youth international has since then continued his development in the youth team at Aston Villa, which has included eight appearances in the EFL Trophy with their under-21s side.

Smith is not a new face at Barrow as he was a part of the Aston Villa U21s that faced The Bluebirds at The SO Legal Stadium last November.

Smith put pen to paper on his first professional deal with Villa last January before being immediately sent out on loan to St Johnstone until the end of the season.

He made three appearances for the Scottish side before receiving a season-ending injury in March.

The Bluebirds will be hoping to get their first win of the season when they welcome Notts County to The SO Legal Stadium on Saturday, August 16.