Barnet Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond on a free transfer as an addition in between the sticks ahead of the new season.
The 27-year-old shot- stopper joins the Bees following the expiration of his contract at League One side Stevenage.
Ashby-Hammond began his career in the academy at Premier League side Fulham, where he developed through the youth ranks and also represented England at youth international level, before gaining valuable first team experience through a series of loan spells.
His first loan move came at Chipstead, before he joined National League side Maidenhead United. The shot-stopper enjoyed three separate spells with the Magpies, establishing himself as a reliable presence between the posts, before moving to fellow National League club Boreham Wood for the 2021/22 campaign.
Ashby-Hammond played a key role in Boreham Wood’s memorable FA Cup run, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 victory away at Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in the fourth round before the Woods’ historic journey came to an end in the fifth round following a 2-0 defeat to Everton.
Taye’s performances under Luke Garrard earned him a loan move to League Two side Stevenage, where he helped guide the Hertfordshire club to promotion to League One in 2023; recording 12 clean sheets in 26 appearances during an impressive campaign.
Following the success of his loan spell, Ashby-Hammond joined the club on a permanent deal in 2023. He went on to make a further 41 appearances for the Boro across the next three seasons, continuing to establish himself as a dependable goalkeeper at EFL level.
Speaking on bringing Taye to Barnet. Manager Dean Brennan said:
“We’ve been watching Taye from afar for a long time. He first came to our attention when he was on loan at Boreham Wood and we actually tried to get him at the football club on a number of occasions.
He’s been promoted out of this division with Stevenage, and we think he’s a great age for us, mature keeper, good from crosses and an all-round goalkeeper, very reliable and some of the references we’ve had on him have been outstanding.
We know he’s a good kid, fantastic level- headed character, intelligent and all in all I think he will make us a better group and make the team better”.
On joining the Bees, Taye said:
“It feels amazing, looking around here the facilities look amazing and all the guys here seem like great people so I’m delighted to be here at an ambitious club and I can’t wait to get started.
The manager has told me it’s an ambitious club here and I’m very excited to be stepping into that and try as much as I can to help the team and I’m thankful that he’s (Dean) found that I’d be a good fit for his team so I’m looking forward to getting going”.
Welcome to Barnet, Taye!
This deal is subject to League and FA approval.
