Striker JJ Hooper has become the latest player to join Barnet ahead of the upcoming season, with his arrival formally announced at the weekend.

The former Wrexham and Havant and Waterlooville attacker arrived for the upcoming campaign as the Bees look to go one better than their playoff appearance last season.

A statement on the Barnet website reads: “Barnet Football Club are delighted to have secured the signing of highly rated striker JJ Hooper.

JJ joins with a wealth of experience having played for the likes Port Vale, Grimsby Town, Bromley and most recently Wrexham in the 2019-20 season.

Bees fans will be no stranger to our new striker after he scored the opener for Wrexham in our 1-1 draw at the Racecourse Ground last season.

JJ’s early career saw him develop through the youth academy at Premier League side Newcastle United, but his first big season would come with Havant and Waterlooville as he fired 20 goals in all competitions as the Hawks reached the play-offs.”

In an interview for the Bees website, Hooper said he was delighted to have joined the club.

“Yeah, I’m definitely delighted to have signed,” he said.

“I just can’t wait to get playing now. I had a few offers, but the chat with the manager made me choose Barnet. Me and my agent came in the other week and we had a really good conversation and it just made me decide that I want to come and play for Barnet.”

Hooper has just one aim this season, to score as many goals as he can.

Having been unable to play since March, he is itching to get back out on the pitch once again.

“That’s my aim, to score goals, score as many as I can and hopefully I’ll hit the ground running,” he said.

“I like to just score goals, I like to just get in the box and hit the target.

“That’s how it’s been for every footballer out there - it’s been a long period, obviously the safety of everyone, that’s the important thing, but now we can play, it’s good to be back.”

Once he is up and running, Hooper is looking forward to playing alongside the likes of fellow strikers Alfie Pavey and Josh Walker

“I haven’t played with them but I know of them, they’re good players and I’m looking forward to playing with them,” he said.