Goalkeeper Sam Cowler has left Barnet but hopes his former team-mates can achieve the "success they deserve".

The 20-year-old joined Barnet last summer from West Ham United but was second choice initially to Liam O’Brien and then to Graham Stack.

The young stopper used social networking site Twitter to announce his departure.

He tweeted: “My last day as a @BarnetFC player. Was a difficult decision to make but at the end of the day as a footballer I want to play games...

"I thank the club for respecting my decision. Some brilliant people at the club and I wish all the players the success they deserve #bees.”

Cowler’s first appearance for the Bees came against Fleetwood Town in September after Stack was sent off.

He started the next game but couldn’t help Barnet avoid a 2-1 defeat at home to Exeter City.

His only other appearance for the Bees came at Underhill in a 2-0 FA Cup first round defeat against Oxford United.