Barry Town FC signs two new players

By Ellyn Wright

1st Feb 2021 | Local Sport

Barry Town United has signed two new players: goalkeeper Lee Idzi and striker Rhys Kavanagh.

Idzi, from Carmarthen Town, joins the club after six and a half years at Richmond Park, all spent in the Welsh top-flight before the Old Gold's relegation last season.

The 32-year-old has also previously appeared for Bangor City, where he was a Welsh Premier League and Welsh Cup runner-up, as well as for Neath and Haverfordwest.

Idzi has made 394 top-flight appearances in total, meaning he brings a huge wealth of experience to our squad.

Following Josh Gould's return to parent club Swansea City, Gavin Chesterfield was keen to add another option between the sticks and expressed his delight at securing Idzi's signature.

"Lee is someone I worked with very briefly at Haverfordwest a long time ago and my conversations with him have been hugely refreshing," said Gavin Chesterfield.

"I think he's excited to have a new challenge after being very loyal to Carmarthen over many years. He adds huge experience and character to our squad and I'm very pleased to bring him."

Idzi said he was "delighted" to join Barry Town United: "It's a great club with a really good history and I can't wait to get started.

"Anything I can do to help the younger players in the squad, or help the team get through certain parts of the season, I'll do it.

"I'm not far off 400 top-flight appearances so I want to keep building towards that and help people with my experience."

Kavanagh said he was "buzzing" to get back into football: "I can't wait. I've been training over the last couple of weeks and it's been really good, now I'm just looking forward to hopefully getting some game-time.

"I'm an attacking player, so hopefully I can score some goals! I want to try and bring something different to the attack."

A product of Newport County's academy, Kavanagh helped the Exiles' Under-18s win the EFL Youth Alliance Merit League One in 2016-17, scoring 28 goals in 32 appearances along the way.

That summer, he was snapped up by Bristol Rovers, signing his first professional contract at the Memorial Ground and joining the club's development squad.

Kavanagh impressed in his appearances for the Pirates' youth sides, and also enjoyed loan spells with Hungerford Town, Bath City and Gloucester City.

However, he has struggled with injury in recent years, and was forced to retire from professional football last summer when his contract at Bristol Rovers came to an end.

Gavin Chesterfield said Rhys is an exciting player that he has known about for a long time.

"We feel like we could be a good match for each other and I'm excited to see what he can do.

"He knows many of our current squad and he'll add a different attacking dimension to us."

     

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