Northampton Town have signed defender Conor McCarthy, who joins the Cobblers from Barnsley.

The 27-year-old defender has signed a two year contract to move to Sixfields, and he will join upon expiry of his Barnsley contract later this month.

McCarthy is Northampton’s 8th summer signing ahead of the upcoming League One season, following the previously announced arrivals of Jack Perkins, Jack Burroughs, Dean Campbell, Ross Fitzsimons, Michael Jacobs, Elliott List and Kamarai Swyer.

The defender had signed for Barnsley from Scottish outfit St Mirren in 2022. The Irishman made 24 appearances in all competitions for the Tykes last season.

In his career, he has also played for hometown club Cork City in the League of Ireland and for the Scottish side St Mirren. He also spent the second half of the 2023/24 season on loan with Swindon Town.

Northampton manager Kevin Nolan told the club’s official website that he saw McCarthy as a potential team leader.

He said, “We see Conor as a leader, a really good professional and someone we are really pleased to sign.

“He has been really impressive in the conversations we have had with him and he is a very good character. He conducts himself very well and he has a presence about him.

“First and foremost though, 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.”

In further transfer news, Northampton confirmed the departure from the club of winger Tariqe Fosu, who will leave upon expiry of contract.

Negotiations had been ongoing between Fosu and the Cobblers to extend his stay, but the former Ghana international will instead leave after a deal couldn’t be reached.

Fosu leaves after a single season with the club. He had joined Northampton last summer after a year out of the sport, with the winger making 37 appearances in all competitions for the club last season, scoring four goals.