KEIGHLEY-BORN Matty Pearson has signed a three-year deal with Championship club Barnsley.

The former Oakbank School pupil was thought to be a target for Bradford City but the Tykes have snapped up the 24-year-old defender from Accrington.

The fee remains undisclosed though it is a record for Stanley, with some reports claiming it to be in the region of £500,000.

Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom said: "We’re really pleased to get Matty to the club. This is a deal we have moved quickly on once we knew he was available and I am happy we could get it over the line.

"For a tall full back, Matty has some exceptional qualities that we feel we can work with and make better. He has heard everything we had to say and really bought into our ideas."

Pearson, who did not feature in Barnsley's opening-day defeat at Bristol City, scored 11 goals in 89 League Two appearances for Stanley after joining them from FC Halifax Town.

The former Long Lee Juniors player, who can play centre half, has also featured in the Football League for Rochdale, having been on Blackburn's books as a youngster.

He has represented England under-18s and the England C non-league team.