Former Notts County defender Ben Barclay has joined League One side Accrington Stanley on a free transfer.
The centre-back has signed a one-year deal having been with the Reds on trial and had been linked with Plymouth.
Barclay spent the second half of last season on loan at Meadow Lane and played 13 games, scoring one goal as the Magpies slipped out of League Two.
Speaking about the challenge ahead, the defender said his time at the Magpies taught him a great deal.
“In terms of playing, I didn’t play a lot of games but I played some games in men’s football for the first time,” Barclay told the club’s official website.
“We were in a relegation battle so obviously I’ve learnt from that, something new which I’ve never had to deal with before so that was good.”
Barclay becomes the third defender to sign for the club in four days with Accrington signing full-backs in Zaine Francis-Angol and Joe Maguire.
Stanley manager John Coleman said of his sixth summer signing: “He is a promising defender from Brighton, he came through at Manchester City so he is technically a very good footballer.
“He had an opportunity last season in League Two with Notts County and it’s a chance for him to kick on in League One and get more league experience under his belt.”
Barclay will link-up with another ex-Notts player at the club after they signed former youth striker Colby Bishop from Leamington.
