Barrow have pulled off a major coup with the signing of experienced winger Tom Barkhuizen following his release from Derby County.
The 32-year-old has agreed a two-year deal and arrives with nearly 500 senior appearances under his belt, bringing leadership and quality to Andy Whing’s promotion-chasing squad.
Bluebirds Land Proven Championship Winger
Barkhuizen’s arrival at Holker Street is being hailed as a statement of intent. The former Preston North End and Derby County man was a free agent this summer after leaving Pride Park, where he made 113 appearances across three seasons and played a key role in Derby’s promotion from League One in 2023–24.
Having reportedly been close to a move to South Korea in January, the pacey winger instead sees Barrow as the right opportunity to reset and relaunch. Barkhuizen made his name in the Championship with Preston, scoring 38 goals in over 200 appearances, before linking up with Paul Warne at Derby in 2022.
Despite a frustrating 2024–25 campaign due to injury and limited minutes, his pedigree is undeniable. And now, in what is arguably one of the standout signings in League Two this summer, he will look to inject experience, directness, and attacking spark into Barrow’s wide areas.
Barkhuizen Ready to Lead by Example
Speaking to the club’s media team, Barkhuizen made his ambitions clear:
“There’s a lot of things I think I can bring to the table. I bring experience and leadership, but I also believe I’ve still got the quality to win games. I want to bring a bit of excitement. The game has lost wingers that want to run at people and take people on.”
He also praised the club’s vision, adding: “The manager is very ambitious, and there’s no reason why we can’t match the other teams. If we stick together and work as a team, then that’s the best recipe for success.”
Manager Andy Whing described the move as a perfect fit, highlighting Barkhuizen’s top-level background and hunger to succeed in League Two. The winger has spent pre-season staying match fit and was clear about wanting to join a project that values his influence both on and off the pitch.
Writer’s View
This is a serious bit of business from Barrow, and I mean serious. Tom Barkhuizen isn’t just a name—he’s a proven performer at a much higher level, and if he stays fit, he has the potential to be one of the best players in League Two this season. His desire to lead, combined with his natural attacking instincts, could give the Bluebirds an edge in a division where fine margins often make the difference. Barrow are pushing upward, and this signing underlines their intent to be in and around the top seven by May.
