BARNSLEY made their first signing of the January transfer window last week as Neil Farrugia joined the Reds from Shamrock Rovers - and head coach Darrell Clarke said he's happy to be getting business done early.

Farrugia, who is a left wing-back who can also play on the right and further forward, joined the Reds on a two-and-a-half year deal following the expiration of his contract at the League of Ireland club.

After a period at UCD, the 25-year-old joined Shamrock Rovers in 2019 and has gone on to make over 120 appearances for the Hoops, chipping in with 11 goals.

Farrugia has represented the Republic of Ireland at under 18 and under 21 level and was called up to the senior squad in 2023 for a summer training camp.

Over the course of this season so far he has played in various European competitions for Shamrock Rovers with his last goal coming in a 3-0 win over Borac in December and his final appearance for the club being 73 minutes at Stamford Bridge in their game against Chelsea just over two weeks ago.

On joining the club, Farrugia said: "It feels brilliant.

"This is a big club full of ambitions and I'm really looking forward to it.

"I've come over to England for that new challenge, to take that next step and I'm going to embrace it."

Clarke said that he's glad the club have started their business early in the transfer window and is excited to see what Farrugia will bring to the club.

"It's competition," he added.

"Georgie Gent has been outstanding, he's a 20-year-old kid and he's had to play a lot of football.

"It's good competition for those places and he's also flexible and can play a bit higher up the pitch.

"He can play right-wing-back as well so it brings a talented player into the squad.

"He's probably going to need a couple of weeks conditioning but he obviously played against Chelsea not long ago.

"We'll see how conditioned he is and another member of the squad strengthens it.

"We know it's a tough window and it's nice to get one over the line."