Experienced forward signs on the dotted line
Neal Ardley has finally added the striker he has been searching for all summer with experienced forward Tyrone Barnett joining AFC Wimbledon.
We are delighted to confirm that Tyrone has signed for the Dons with Neal having earmarked the 6 ft 3 inch striker as a top target for some time.
Speaking during an interview for Dons Player, Neal believes his signature is a real coup for AFC Wimbledon as the manager thought that Tyrone was poised to join a club elsewhere.
“We thought earlier in pre-season that it was a more or less done deal that Tyrone would be going to Southend United,” said Neal. “That was the feedback we got in all our enquiries and we thought we had missed out on this one. We have tried to be patient and look for the right type. We wanted somebody with a physical presence, a real aerial prowess in the box, and good hold-up play. He had to be a striker who complemented Tom Elliott, Lyle Taylor and Dominic Poleon.
“We are delighted to get someone in who has moved for the fees Tyrone has and he is a player who has done well in the league we are in. Tyrone has caused us problems when he has played against us. You always notice players when you have to find a way of dealing with them and he was one of those. It is an incredible signing for the club.”
Tyrone’s big break into the league ranks came in 2010 when then League 2 club Macclesfield Town plucked him from Hednesford Town. Following a short, but prolific spell with Macclesfield, Crawley Town signed him in 2011 and a year later Peterborough United paid £1.1 million for his signature. Tyrone also played in League 1 for Shrewsbury Town and he has had loan spells with Bristol City, Oxford United and Southend United.
Shortly after completing a medical and signing on the dotted line, Tyrone said: “I’m very happy to have got it all signed and I’m looking forward to Saturday and the start of the season. There was a bit of interest in me, but once I had a chat with the manager and heard about his plans, including how he wanted to use me at this football club, I knew straight away I wanted to play for him. The club has achieved amazing things, especially getting promoted last season, and I think it can progress further.”
The full interview with Tyrone is now on Dons Player, along with an update from Neal Ardley.