After the Blues depart, Barnsley re-signs defender Roberts.
Barnsley have re-signed defender Marc Roberts on a two-year contract. The 33-year-old, who was a free agent after being released by Birmingham earlier this summer, originally joined the Blues from Barnsley in July 2017 after helping his hometown club achieve promotion to the Championship in the 2015-16 season.
“It was class the last time I was here. It was the best part of my career really,” Roberts told the club website.
Roberts is the second player from Barnsley’s promotion-winning squad eight years ago to re-join the League One side this summer, following midfielder Conor Hourihane, who signed a player-coach deal last month. Roberts will compete against Birmingham City in League One next season after securing his return to Barnsley.
Released by Birmingham at the end of last season after a seven-year stint, Roberts was among six senior players to leave the club. Other departures included John Ruddy, Neil Etheridge, Gary Gardner, Ivan Sunjic, and Scott Hogan. Roberts made 197 appearances for Birmingham in all competitions but only featured in 14 Championship matches last season due to calf problems.
“It feels class to be back,” Roberts said of his return to Barnsley. “I’m buzzing with it to be fair; I can’t wait to get going. It was class the last time I was here. It was the best part of my career really.”