Barrow AFC have completed their first signing of the summer after former Peterborough United striker Morgan Penfold joined on a two-year contract.

The 20-year-old was recently released by the Posh, for whom he made one first-team appearance against Norwich City’s under-21 team in the Checkatrade Trophy in August 2016.

He was sent out on loan on several occasions after that point, first heading across Cambridgeshire to St Ives Town before going down to Bedfordshire with Biggleswade Town, where he eventually had two spells, either side of a short stint with Boston United.

Penfold hasn’t had to wait long to find a new club and the length of his contract gives an indication as to just how keen Bluebirds manager Ian Evatt was to bring him to Holker Street.

Evatt said: “Morgan had been with Peterborough since he was a very young boy and he fits the right demographic of profile in what we look for.

“He’s a young lad who has come out of a good academy and has played in Peterborough’s first team.

“He can play either side of the front three or in the middle of the field, he’s a good height (6ft 1in), so he’s physically able to cope with this league, but he’s also very technical and can run, so we’re very pleased to get him on board.

“We don’t give two-year deals out lightly, but we’re looking to get assets for the club and Morgan can become an asset for this football club.

“He’s a very good young player – he’s obviously got a lot of developing and hard work to go and do to fulfil that potential, but there’s definitely a player in there and hopefully he can shine for us.”

The news of Penfold’s signing came a day after John Rooney, Connor Brown and Johnny Saltmer joined the list of players who have agreed new deals to stay at the club next season.

Key players in the squad like goalkeeper Joel Dixon, club captain Josh Granite and defender Sam Hird are among those who had already done the same, while AFC’s Player of the Year Jason Taylor was already tied down to a two-year contract.

“It just shows you that they’re happy with what we’re doing,” Evatt said, adding: “John Rooney had an excellent season for us, Johnny is a young goalkeeper who is going to push Joel this season and Connor is an excellent member of the squad.

“It’s great to have these boys re-signing and it shows that we’re doing the right thing.

“It’s now my job to add more players like Morgan to add to what we already have to make us better for next season and we’re well down the line of doing that.”