Brentford defender Tony Craig will find a route back into the Brentford first team even harder next term after the Bees signed French centre back Yoann Barbet this week.

The 22-year-old former France U18 international has penned a four-year-deal after ending a brief spell at Chamois Niortais where he played 33 games in the French second tier last season.

Craig, who won promotion with the Bees from League One in 2014, largely played second fiddle to first choice pairing Harlee Dean and James Tarkowski in the second half of last term, making just 24 appearances in total.

Barbet is new head coach Marinus Dijkhuizen’s second new signing following the arrival of Ryan Williams from Morecambe and the third new player in total to arrive at Griffin Park this summer.

And the Dutch supremo is delighted to have got the Bordeaux youth ranks graduate on board.

"One of my first tasks as head coach was to review some of the players that the recruitment team had been tracking last season," he said.

“Yoann really caught the eye and after discussions we decided to make his signing one of our priorities.

“I’m very happy that he has chosen to come to Brentford and I look forward to working with him.”

* Brentford youth team star Bradley Clayton penned a two-year professional contract with the club this week after completing his A levels.

The 18-year-old scored 15 goals in 22 games last term.