Barrow sign Chester City's Nick Chadwick

Chadwick scored seven goals for Chester after joining them this summer

Barrow have signed striker Nick Chadwick from Blue Square Premier rivals Chester on an 18-month deal.

The Bluebirds beat off competition from several Southern-based clubs to sign the 27-year-old former Everton and Plymouth forward.

Chadwick left financially stricken City by mutual consent.

He has followed another former Chester striker, Gregg Blundell, in making a permanent switch from the Deva Stadium to Holker Street this season.

Barrow director Tony Keen described the signing as a significant one for the club.

"It's probably one of the biggest signings for Barrow in recent years," he told BBC Radio Cumbria.

He wanted a club going in the right direction so it was all about putting the right package together

Barrow director Tony Keen

"It took a lot of discussion. He wanted to be here but he's had a lot of offers from other clubs, a lot of very good offers from other clubs.

"He wanted a club going in the right direction so it was all about putting the right package together."

Keen has also refused to rule out the possibility of further activity in the transfer window this month.

"The managers have got a brief to keep looking if they want somebody," he said.

"We are always looking to improve the squad so watch this space is the best thing to say."

Stoke-born Chadwick began his career as a trainee with Everton where he scored 48 goals in 75 appearances for the Toffees' youth teams.

He went on to make his Premier League debut in a 1-0 defeat at Sunderland in September 2001.

After 15 appearances and three goals for the club, loan spells with Millwall and Derby County followed before a £250,000 move to Plymouth Argyle in February 2005.

Chadwick scored Argyle's quickest-ever goal after just 11 seconds against Crystal Palace that December and went on to make 77 starts for the Pilgrims in three seasons, scoring 10 times.

Following his release by Plymouth in the summer of 2008, Chadwick joined Hereford United that September, scoring on his debut against Scunthorpe United.

He signed for Shrewsbury Town in January 2009 after Hereford decided against renewing his contract but was released following their League Two play-off final defeat by Gillingham.

Chadwick moved to Chester City in August but has become the latest player to leave the club this season due to their financial plight.

He will be available for Barrow's trip to Rushden & Diamonds in the Blue Square Premier this weekend but will be unavailable for the club's FA Trophy campaign this season having already played for Chester in the competition.