Northampton sign former Barnsley defender McCarthy

Conor McCarthy represented Ireland at under-18 and under-21 level

Northampton Town have signed central defender Conor McCarthy on a two-year contract following his release from Barnsley.

The 27-year-old played 38 times in three seasons at Oakwell, which included 24 appearances in the last campaign and a loan spell at Swindon.

After starting at his hometown club, Cork City, the Irish youth international joined Scottish side St Mirren where he played 68 times before a move to South Yorkshire in 2022.

"We see Conor as a leader, a really good professional and someone we are really pleased to sign," manager Kevin Nolan told the club website.

"He is a good defender, strong in the air and in the tackle and he puts his body on the line. He is also good on the ball and we are adding players who we think will make us better in that part of the game.

"I want us to be better in possession and he will help with that. He will help us sustain attacks as well as his defensive work and that's important for the way we want to play."