Barnet head coach, Dean Brennan, has opted to sign free-agent goalkeeper Giosue Bellagambi following his release from Huddersfield Town. His contract expired in June, and he has been looking for a club since. Shortly after a trial at Rotherham United, Barnet FC decided to bring him to The Hive Stadium.
The goalkeeper who left Huddersfield in the summer has been without a club since June and failed to be chosen by a club during the transfer window. He was most recently on trial at Championship newcomers Rotherham United but they opted not to sign him. He was then picked up by National League leaders Barnet who now have three options in net. Bellagambi spent six years in total at Huddersfield, making 0 appearances.
Past Clubs
In 2018, Huddersfield poached the then 17-year-old from Whyteleafe FC and he spent two years in the academy before signing a professional contract in 2020 and being sent on loan to Ramsbottom United.
Unfortunately for Giosue, this loan was fairly unsuccessful, and after just four first-team appearances, he found himself being shipped to Ebbsfleet United. Up until his release in July of this year, Bellagambi had made a total of 33 appearances in his six loan moves for the sides: Ramsbottom United, Ebbsfleet United, Stalybridge Celtic, Brighouse Town, Hyde United and Spennymoor Town to gain experience in senior football and boost his development.
He spent the 23/24 season at Salford but failed to make an appearance. During his time at Hyde United, he made an appearance for the Ugandan national team in an AFCON qualifier against Algeria which resulted in a 2-1 loss for Bellagambi.
Bellagambi was most recently on trial, following his release from Huddersfield, at Rotherham United who currently find themselves 17th in league one. However, it appears they chose not to make a move for him. But, National League hopeful Barnet seemingly saw something in the young keeper as they have just announced his permanent signing.
Strengths And Weaknesses
There are many reasons as to why Bees fans can be hopeful about their newest signing. First of all, is his stature as he stands at six foot, two and a half inches tall and is known for his good attitude. In the club’s official announcement of the player, Barnet goalkeeper coach, Craig Holloway, had this to say:
“He has great power and agility. A kid who wants to learn and is technically sound. He has a real appetite to improve and has been training for some weeks now and he fits into the group nicely.”
However, there could be some concerns amongst Barnet supporters as to why their new signing has failed to make many appearances across so many loans. Fans should take comfort though in the fact most of those loans were only month-long stints to aid in his development.
He is still young for a goalkeeper, being only aged 22 now and his two most recent loan spells are where he made the majority of his appearances. Nine for Hyde and 14 for Spennymoor Town. So there is perhaps more reason for optimism than worry.
Barnets Hopes For Bellagambi
So far this season, Barnet have been high-flying and currently find themselves first in the Vanarama National League table, one point above second-placed Forest Green Rovers. Bellagambi will likely be hoping to help out his new side in their bid for a return to league football for the first time since the 2017/18 season. He can be pleased that he has found a club where he has the chance to fight for stable first-team football and a shot at playing in League Two next season should the Bees’ campaign continue in the vein it has started.
Barnet has yet to announce the length of the contract Bellagambi has signed, and the deal is still subject to FA and league clearances.