Barnet Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of Joe Widdowson, the former Leyton Orient defender joins the Bees on a two year contract.

Widdowson makes the move to The Hive London and brings an extensive amount of experience to the Club with 466 senior appearances to his name, the vast majority of which have come in the EFL. The full-back can play on both flanks, as well as centre-back and has represented the likes of Grimsby Town, Rochdale, Northampton Town, Dagenham and Redbridge and most recently, Leyton Orient. 

Our newest recruit has enjoyed great success at National League level, having won the title during the 2018-19 season with Leyton Orient as they secured promotion back to the EFL. Widdowson played an instrumental part of that title win, making 44 appearances in the league for one of the division’s sturdiest defences. 

The 32-year-old will be hoping for more success at this level, as he joins a new look Bees side that is shaping up very nicely under the stewardship of First Team Head Coach, Harry Kewell. Widdowson will bring plenty of ability and experience to our ranks, something that is crucial with the nice mix of exciting young players and experienced heads that are being blended together ahead of what promises to be an exciting campaign. 

At the beginning of his career, Widdowson began his career at West Ham United as a youth player, before making loan moves to Rotherham United and Grimsby Town to gain his first taste of senior action. It would be with the Mariners where he’d spend three years after making the move from East London, he went on to make over sixty appearances during his time with the then League Two side.

After impressing at Blundell Park, the London born defender then made a move up to EFL Leauge One where he would spend two years at Rochdale. Widdowson made 73 appearances during his time at Dale, highlighting the calibre of talent that the Bees have on their hands. 

Speaking on his arrival at the Bees, Widdowson said:

“I am really pleased to get it done and to be signed on here, I have been training here for the last week and a bit, I have been really impressed with everything. I am really looking forward to the start of the season. I am familiar with a few of the boys already which is good, I have really enjoyed the training and the gaffers methods. The facilities are great here and location wise it works really well for me here as well.

 

“I have played quite a few games at this level and the Football League, I’ve won this division as well, so I know what it takes at this level. I have played for quite a few Clubs, but I am really pleased to be at Barnet and I’m looking forward to my time here. It’s a really competitive league, it’s relentless and the games come thick and fast, but if we can have a good start and build some momentum, there’s no reason we can’t be at the top of the league at the end of the season.”

We’re delighted to welcome Joe to the Club and wish him well for the season ahead. Widdowson could feature in Saturday’s pre-season friendly with Sutton United. 

The deal is subject to the usual football regulatory processes.