Pic: Media Image
BARNSLEY have swooped for their second National League striker in a week after securing the signing of Wrexham forward Kayden Jackson.
Jackson turned down a new deal with the Dragons and moves to Oakwell following the Tykes’ addition of Dover Athletic striker Stefan Payne. They could both be Championship players if Barnsley overcome Millwall in the League One play-off final on Sunday.
As Jackson is 22, Wrexham will be due compensation after a brilliant second half to his debut season in north Wales earned him a move back into the Football League.
In 2013, while playing for Northern Counties East League side Albion Sports, he won ‘Win A Pro Contract’ on Sky TV and signed for Swindon Town.
However, after struggling to breakthrough at the County Ground, Jackson returned to Non-League with Tamworth before signing for Wrexham last summer.
After mainly being used as a substitute in the first half of the season, Jackson became a key part of Gary Mills‘ side after Christmas, earning an England C call up.
He scored on his Three Lions debut in Ukraine and ended the season with four goals for Wrexham but it was his all action displays that got scouts flocking to the Racecourse.
Jackson, who has signed a two-year deal with Barnsley, said: “I had an offer from Wrexham and a number of other clubs but as soon as I spoke to the gaffer (Paul Heckingbottom) and heard the way the club want to go forward, I knew Barnsley matched me perfectly.
“You can see the pathway here, Barnsley have given a few players the chance to step up from Non-League and I want to follow them (Halifax’s Marc Roberts and Worcester’s George Williams) and do well.
“I went to Wrexham and didn’t really get into the team to start with but I continued to work hard and knew I’d get my chance. I enjoyed every minute of playing in front of the Wrexham crowd but I couldn’t turn down the offer to come to Barnsley.”
The Dragons will be hoping new signing Jordan White can fill the void following his move from Scottish Championship side Livingston.
