Goalkeeper Sam Cowler has returned to Barnet, signing a one-year deal a year after leaving the club in 2013 in search of first-team football.

Cowler, 21, spent last season with Bishop's Stortford before linking up with the Bees during pre-season and featuring once in pre-season.

Speaking to the club's website, Cowler said: “I’m very pleased to be back. I was here for a short time when I came on loan a couple of years ago under Martin Allen and he did a great job, so I am really looking forward to working under him again. 

“I also played with the youth team along with Jamal Lowe, George Sykes and a few others when we came second in the league so I am used to playing with a few of the boys and know them quite well.” 

He added: “We were already training here the last time I was with the club but the surroundings are quite a bit different to then in terms of the stadium. The facilities here are fantastic and I’m looking forward to hopefully getting on the pitch once the season starts and seeing what The Hive is all about.” 

Graham Stack's dismissal at Fleetwood Town saw Cowler make his Bees debut in September 2012 before making his second league appearance at home to Exeter City the following week.

His only other Barnet appearance came in a 2-0 FA Cup defeat by Oxford United that November.

The Colchester-born stopper began his professional career at West Ham United and took in loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, Yeovil Town and Barnet before turning professional.

In 2012, Cowler joined the Bees but made two starts and one substitute appearances for the Bees after failing to dislodge Stack as the club's number one.

At the end of the 2012/13 season, Cowler left the club and joined Conference South side Bishop's Stortford but saw his season disrupted by a string of serious injuries.