FINLAY BARNES will be remaining in the Vanarama National League next season, after agreeing a move to a newly-promoted side. 

After York City confirmed yesterday evening that Barnes would be leaving the Minstermen by mutual consent, the attacking midfielder has been quickly snapped up by a fellow National League outfit. 

Newly-promoted Braintree Town have confirmed the addition of Barnes, with the 23-year-old making the move back closer to home. 

Barnes joined York in the Summer of 2023 after a prolific season with Leiston, but found game time limited, making just six appearances during his stay in North Yorkshire. 

Loan spells with both Darlington and Scarborough Athletic took up most of Barnes' playtime, in which he made a combined 27 appearances in the Vanarama National League North, scoring six goals. 

The move provides a fresh start for Barnes, who solely featured under former City manager Neal Ardley, after becoming a victim of the Minstermen's overly large squad in the fifth tier. 

He became the second player on Wednesday to mutually cancel his contract, alongside former promotion-winner Sam Sanders, with the pair both enduring loan spells away from the club last campaign.

Barnes spoke to the Braintree media team on his move from York, discussing his experience with the Minstermen and explaining what the Iron's supporters can expect from him.

"I didn't play as much as I would have liked to at York, but I played a few games," Barnes admitted.

"Being around a team in the similar league helped me out a little bit with a bit of knowledge and knowing what is going on in the league.

"I'm ready to be at Braintree now and show everyone what I can do. 

"I'm left-footed but like to play on the right, come inside, take shots, crosses, be creative and just try to make things happen really. 

"I try to get as much as I can, goals and assists wise, I think they are both just as important as each other."

Braintree have been steadily building their squad following their Vanarama National League South promotion last campaign, welcoming six new faces, which include Inih Effiong, James Vennings and George Langston.