BANGOR City have been dealt another blow after influential defender Sam Barnes joined Newtown.

The talented centre-half arrived at the VSM Stadium from Colwyn Bay during the summer and quickly emerged as one of the best players at his position anywhere in the Huws Gray Alliance.

This caught the attention of a host of clubs in the region, with Barnes opting to test his skills in the JD Welsh Premier League with Chris Hughes’ Robins.

Barnes is a no nonsense central defender who is known for portraying real leadership. Some of that was shown when the defender captained the Seagulls last term.

He also had a spell at English giants Liverpool as a youngster, before turning out for Stockport County, Marine and Northwich Victoria.

This is the latest in a series of high-profile departures in recent weeks as uncertainty surrounds the future of the Citizens, with striker Les Davies signing for Llandudno and Alex Darlington leaving for Maltese side Mosta.

Barnes, said: “I would like to say thank you to Bangor City staff, supporters and volunteers for my time there this season.

“We’ve been through ups and downs along the way but everyone pulled together and catching Airbus (Broughton) is in sight.

“An opportunity presented itself in the Welsh Premier League and it is something I could not turn down at this moment in time.”