Barnet have completed the signing of 21-year-old Irish midfielder Mark Byrne from Nottingham Forest on loan until January 1.

He is Mark Stimson's 11th new signing since taking over at Underhill on June 1 and the manager said: "Hopefully he is the missing link to add to our midfield".

Byrne scored seven goals in 44 games for Rushden & Diamonds last season - where Bees' new first team coach Michael Stone was the assistant manager - and was voted their Player of the Season after helping the side to a play-off place in the Blue Square Premier League.

Stone said: "I am very much looking forward to working with Mark again. He made great strides last season and has tenacity, a good engine and a great work rate".

The Dubliner, who joined Forest's academy in 2007, was a regular reserve before making his first team debut. He has made two senior appearances with Forest and also gained experience with seven games on loan at eventual Blue Square champions Burton Albion the season before last.

It has taken Mark Stimson and Michael Stone several weeks of negotiation to capture Byrne's signature in competition with other clubs.

Dennis Signy