Barnet have completed the headline signing of Britt Assombalonga, the 32-year-old striker who once moved for combined fees of almost £25m.
Assombalonga has been training with the Bees and has now penned a deal as Barnet continue their first campaign back in League Two. The forward hit 33 goals in a single season for Peterborough United in 2013-14, then joined Nottingham Forest before a £15m switch to Middlesbrough.
What Happened and Why It Matters
Barnet announced the arrival of Assombalonga, confirming the experienced front man is back in north-west London after recent spells in Turkey and with Amedspor.
𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥: Barnet have confirmed the signing of former Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest striker Britt Assombalonga (32) 🇨🇩
Assombalonga has scored over 100 career goals to date and joins the League Two side on a permanent deal 📆 #BarnetFC | #Boro | #NFFC pic.twitter.com/I1seelECMG
— eflpublished (@eflpublished) October 20, 2025
Head coach Dean Brennan hailed the timing and the player’s character, highlighting his influence on younger teammates. For Barnet, newly promoted to League Two, the signing signals serious intent to consolidate and compete near the top of the division.
For Assombalonga, it offers a platform to relaunch his EFL career in familiar surroundings.
“Britt gives us vast experience and bundles of quality and he’s proven it at a high level. The timing for us is perfect and Britt wants to come back to the UK and come back to the London area where he’s from.
“He always comes in with a smile on his face and we know he’s a great character and he’ll be great with the young players.”
Assombalonga’s track record speaks for itself. After breaking out at Peterborough with 33 goals, he became Forest’s record signing at the time, then moved to Middlesbrough for £15m. More recently he has added experience abroad, and his availability has created an opportunity Barnet have seized.
The Bees have been assembling a squad that blends know-how with emerging talent, and a proven finisher should sharpen their threat in tight League Two contests.
Reaction, Impact, and What Comes Next
Supporters across the EFL will view this as one of the window’s most eye-catching free transfers. The immediate question is fitness and minutes, since Assombalonga has not had a regular run of games in England since leaving Middlesbrough in 2021.
Britt Assombalonga has signed a deal with a League Two club after summer release #Boro https://t.co/3F57s9fDPo
— Gazette Boro (@GazetteBoro) October 20, 2025
If match ready, he could feature as early as the weekend, with Barnet aiming to sustain momentum after promotion. His arrival also relieves pressure on existing forwards, creates rotation options, and adds late-game penalty-box presence.
Strategically, Barnet gain a focal point who can occupy centre-backs, win fouls, and convert low-margin chances, qualities that often separate mid-table teams from promotion chasers in League Two.
Off the pitch, the signing elevates the club’s profile and may help attract further reinforcements. For Assombalonga, regular football and a defined role under Brennan offer a clear route to reignite a career that has delivered goals at every EFL level.
