Barnet Football Club are delighted to confirm the signing of Peterborough United’s highly-rated young defender Ricardo Almeida Santos for a fee of £100,000.

 

Santos, 21, joins the Bees after making 75 appearances for League One Posh in two seasons at the ABAX Stadium. 

 

A tough tackler, Santos is a centre-back by trade but has also impressed at right-back, notably as Peterborough drew at Premier League outfit West Bromwich Albion in last season’s Emirates FA Cup.

 

Born in Portugal, the strapping 6ft 5in defender began his professional career at Dagenham & Redbridge before spending time in non-league football with Billericay Town, Dover Athletic and Thurrock.

 

It was Santos’ displays for Thurrock – under ex-Bees boss Mark Stimson – which saw him leave the Isthmian Premier Division side to join League One Peterborough in February 2014.

 

He has made five appearances for Grant McCann’s side this season, including playing in the 2-1 defeat to Posh in the EFL Checkatrade Trophy in November.

 

Santos becomes the Bees’ third signing ahead of the January transfer window opening on Sunday.