Barnet have made former Arsenal defender Gavin Hoyte their fourth summer signing with the full-back joining on a two-year deal.

Capable of playing at either right or left full-back, the 25-year-old joins the Bees after his contract at League One Gillingham came to an end.

Speaking to the club website, he said of his arrival at The Hive: “I’m delighted to be at Barnet, the club won the league last year and coming up into League Two they’re going to be on a big high and I want to be part of it.”

“I can’t wait to get back to playing football again, you really miss it when you’re off over the summer so I can’t wait for the league to start.”

“I’ve played quite a lot of games in League One and League Two, so I think I can bring good experience to the team. My strongest attribute is definitely my speed, I love to get up and down the pitch and get crosses in – but more important than anything, I love defending.”

Bees boss Martin Allen added: “Gavin’s a very good player and he’s at a good age.

“I spoke to some people at Gillingham that gave him fantastic references and we have signed another very good player today.”

Hoyte, who was born in Leytonstone, started his professional career with Premier League giants Arsenal. He was loaned out to Watford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon before leaving in 2012.

A former reserve team captain with the Gunners, Hoyte made one Premier League appearance for the side he joined aged nine, starting in a 3-0 win over Manchester City in November 2008.

Having been released by the Gunners, the 5ft 11in defender joined Dagenham and Redbridge on a free transfer in the summer of 2012.

A regular at Victoria Road, he made 68 league appearances in two seasons in League Two before moving to Priestfield last summer.

Signed on a short-term deal, the former England youth cap remained in Kent for the entire 2014/15 campaign, turning out 35 times in all competitions.

A full Trinidad and Tobago international, Hoyte is the younger brother of former Arsenal and Middlesbrough defender Justin and the son of former British sprinter Wendy.

Hoyte finished as a runner-up at the 2007 Under-17s European Championship with England and again two years later at Under-19 level.

He also has the distinction of having shared a field with Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi, coming on as a substitute in a friendly with La Albiceleste last summer.