Local lad and ex-Harrogate Town player Liam Kitching 'delighted' to seal six-figure move to the Championship

Local lad and former Harrogate Town player Liam Kitching has spoken of his delight after joining Championship play-off hopefuls Barnsley for a fee reportedly in the region of £600,000.
Liam Kitching's final appearance in Harrogate Town colours came during the club's National League play-off eliminator defeat at AFC Fylde back in May 2019. Pictures: Matt KirkhamLiam Kitching's final appearance in Harrogate Town colours came during the club's National League play-off eliminator defeat at AFC Fylde back in May 2019. Pictures: Matt Kirkham
Liam Kitching's final appearance in Harrogate Town colours came during the club's National League play-off eliminator defeat at AFC Fylde back in May 2019. Pictures: Matt Kirkham

The highly-rated centre-half, 21, who started his career at Leeds United and fared well during two loan spells with the Sulphurites, has signed a four-and-a-half year deal at Oakwell.

A former Rossett School pupil, the left-sided defender departed Elland Road for Forest Green Rovers in 2019, shortly after helping hometown team Harrogate qualify for the National League play-offs.

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The season before, during his first spell at Wetherby Road, he scored three times in 10 matches as Town secured an historic promotion from National Leaue North.

Liam Kitching in action for Forest Green Rovers during last month's League Two clash with Harrogate Town at the EnviroVent Stadium.Liam Kitching in action for Forest Green Rovers during last month's League Two clash with Harrogate Town at the EnviroVent Stadium.
Liam Kitching in action for Forest Green Rovers during last month's League Two clash with Harrogate Town at the EnviroVent Stadium.

Ever-present having made 36 appearances in all competitions during 2019/20, Kitching featured 17 times for Rovers this term and caught the eye of Barnsley, who are well-known for their business model of with recruiting young and up-and-coming talent with potential re-sale value.

His final outing for Mark Copper’s men came in their 1-0 win at former club Harrogate back in early December.

On heading back to Yorkshire, Kitching said: “I’m delighted. When the move came about I didn’t think twice about it. It’s a massive club and to move up from League Two to the Championship and get back home up north, I’m just excited for the challenge.”

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Reds chief executive officer Dane Murphy, added: “We are thrilled to add another talented player to our squad. Liam is a player who has demonstrated his ability with a number of outstanding performances in the Football League.

“The club believe he will go onto become a great success at Oakwell.”