Jason McCarthy officially joins Barnsley for undisclosed fee
By Chris Hughes
Southampton youngster Jason McCarthy has officially joined the Championship side, having failed to break into the first team.
Despite being named his two loan club’s respective Player of the Season’s, Southampton have parted with 21-year-old defender Jason McCarthy.
He was ever-present for Walsall last campaign, making 46 appearances and scoring five goals for the League One outfit.
However with four out-and-out centre-backs already at the club, McCarthy’s opportunities were limited, and in total he only made one senior appearance for the Saints.
Yesterday the Sun reported that Barnsley were to spend £200,000 on the versatile defender, with Leeds and Sheffield United both credited with an interest in the youngster. Southampton however haven’t released the official figure that the Yorkshire side paid for the Hampshire-born man.
McCarthy captained the Saints’ Under-21 side to Premier League Cup success in 2015 and was subsequently loaned to Wycombe in League Two the following season, before joining up with the Saddlers the campaign after.
He spent the majority of last season playing as right-back so could have played a squad role with Cuco Martina leaving the side at the end of his contract.
A club statement on Southampton’s official website read as follows:
“Southampton Football Club would like to Jason for his hard work and wish him every success for the future.“