STEFAN PAYNE has earned a move back into the Football League with Barnsley after two goal-laden seasons with Dover Athletic.
The 24-year-old signed for the Whites in the summer of 2014 from AFC Hornchurch and he was Dover’s top scorer in his two seasons at Crabble.
His 23 goals in the campaign just gone, that helped Dover finish fifth in the National League before losing in the play-offs to Forest Green, had clubs interested and he has made the move to Oakwell on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal.
The striker started his career at Croydon before a spell at Sutton United earned him a move to then-Premier League side Fulham in 2009.
He failed to make the breakthrough at Craven Cottage and moved on to Gillingham a year later where he scored twice in 27 appearances.
Subsequent moves to Aldershot, Sutton, Macclesfield and Ebbsfleet followed before he got his career back on track at Hornchurch, scoring 31 times in his only season at the club.
A record of 75 goals in three seasons was enough to convince League One side Barnsley to make their move and Payne said: “Barnsley are a really big club. When I was younger I remember watching Barnsley playing in the Premier League so I had to take this opportunity with both hands.
“I know what to expect from this kind of level and fitness wise, I feel I’ve adapted a lot more. I’m older now and have a lot more experience.
“When I was younger I was given the opportunity and I didn’t take it. I had to go the long way and go down to come back up. I’ve worked really hard to get back into the Football League and now I want to push on.
“I like to get in behind defences as well as getting the ball, taking people on and ultimately scoring. I’ve got to hit the ground running in pre-season and show I can score goals.”
