Barnet Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of experienced defender Will Wright on a free transfer.
The 29-year-old makes the short move to North-West London after spending the last two years Swindon Town, where he racked up 95 appearances, scored ten goals and wore the captain’s armband on many occasions for the Robins.
The defender’s journey began in Luton Town’s academy, before he spent a few years in non-league with Biggleswade United and Hitchin Town, which included loan spells at Bedford Town and Barton Rovers.
Wright’s first EFL move saw him join Colchester United, before enjoying a successful loan spell at Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League.
His performances earned him a permanent position in the Daggers’ backline for the next three years, and he went on to make 138 appearances, captaining the East London side to an eighth-place finish during the 2021/22 campaign in his final season.
The experienced defender then returned to the Football League and spent season at Gillingham, where he featured in 46 games, before making the move South to fellow League Two side Crawley Town, where he played a key role in their League Two promotion during the 2023/24 campaign.
On signing the experienced defender, Manager Dean Brennan said:
“Wrighty is a player we tried to sign about 4/5 years ago. We nearly got him in once when he was at Gillingham, we nearly took him on loan, but that fell through last minute, so he’s a player I’ve admired from afar for a long time.
He’s technically excellent, an amazing set piece taker, has got a good football brain and I think he’ll give good nous to the group, because we are quite a young group.
He can play in several positions, he was vice captain and captain on several occasions at Swindon and he’s been promoted with Crawley, so he ticks a lot of boxes and finally after many years I’ve managed to get him to Barnet.
It shows how far we’ve come when we’re signing players with the calibre of Will Wright. Our supporters will know he’s a dead ball specialist and he’s a great lad and a brilliant addition to our squad.”
On making the move to Barnet, Will added:
“The club is going in one direction and I’m hoping to play a part as it continues to go in that direction.
My versatility probably helps with how reliable I’ve been, in terms of being fit and available. It’s always something I’ve had growing up and that I take pride in, being able to play in multiple positions.
I like to get the ball down and play, be progressive and I want to dominate teams with the ball and that’s another reason why I chose this club.”
Welcome to Barnet, Will!
The deal is subject to the usual League and FA approvals.
COYB
