Barnsley have completed the signing of 18-year-old midfielder Ryan Towner from Southern League side Chesham United.
Towner only arrived at The Meadow this summer following his release from Stevenage but has been signed up for The Reds Under 21 squad after impressing on trial.
Towner originally arrived at Oakwell at the start of October and played in two trial games for the Under 21s. However it appeared a permanent deal looked dead in the water when Towner went back to Chesham and continued to play first team football for them.
There has since been a change at heart within the Oakwell Academy and Towner was invited back where he impressed and he was finally signed on Friday.
Chesham manager Andy Leese told local media:
“How can you be disappointed when the lad has got the chance to play professional football? We knew it was coming, and lets just hope he grasps his opportunity.
"I don't think they have got a very big squad at Barnsley, so although it is a development contract he will be training with the first team and should get a good shout.
“Ryan was pretty despondent when he came to us in the summer after being released by Stevenage, and we're glad to have helped him on his way back up.
“I have already had a couple of players I worked with as youngsters call me this week on the back of Ryan's achievement, so hopefully we're getting a reputation for developing young players."