Nicky Cadden - The perfect fit for Barnsley

Barnsley have completed the ambitious signing of Nicky Cadden from Forest Green Rovers. Cadden won the league last season with Forest Green whilst shining at League Two level. Here's an introduction to our new recruit.

Playing style and positions

POSITION

Cadden can play anywhere along the left side and predominately at LWB. He featured at Left Wing Back last season in Forest Green's Title-winning side. Cadden is expected to slot into Duff's 3-5-2 straight into the left wing-back role.

Cadden's playing positions.

Green indicates he's strong in the position and yellow shows he’s comfortable playing in the position.

Out of all the positions, Duff's favoured 3-5-2 (shown above) only uses a LWB. So red's fans can expect Cadden to be our LWB next season.

PLAYING STYLE

Nicky Cadden is an attacking-minded player. The Scotsman likes to carry the ball to the bi-line and cross the ball into the box, as well as cutting inside from the left. His overall crossing is of very high quality and is also strong at set-pieces. Our new recruit also had many key passes last season with an average of 2.9 key passes per game. His other strengths and playing patterns include frequent and high-quality long shots and ball retention.

Cadden scored 6 times and assisted on 12 occasions. 18 goal contributions from Wing-Back certainly makes good reading for Barnsley fans. Cadden created 13 goal-scoring chances.

Cadden's heatmap from last season

CADDEN'S CAREER SO FAR

Nicky started with Scottish club Airdrieonians before signing for Livingston, he scored in his first game for Livingston and went on to make 72 apperances for the Lions, scoring 7 goals. In January 2019, he joined Ayr United on loan and played 10 games for the Scottish Championship side. His next venture was to Greenock Morton where he made 22 apperances and scored 5 goals for the Scottish side.

FOREST GREEN

In July 2020, Nicky moved south of the border and joined Forest Green Rovers. He enjoyed a successful two years at the Rovers, both personally and for the club. Cadden was a vital part of Forest Green's title-winning team as the Green won League Two last season. Nicky's personal success didn't go unnoticed either, with Cadden being named in the EFL League Two team of the season as well as the PFA team of the season. Our new man also won the League Two September 2021 player of the month. He was offered a new contract by Forest Green this summer but turned it down to join Barnsley.

He scored 10 goals and assisted on 22 occasions during his 87 games for Forest Green.

Cadden's stats last season, in League Two

WHY BARNSLEY?

Many other clubs were interested in signing Nicky Cadden including plenty of Championship clubs and other League One clubs. Our noisy neighbours Sheffield Wednesday were also said to be interested in signing the Scottsman.

“I’m delighted. As soon as I spoke to the club, it was very positive. It seemed like they really wanted me."

“It looks like a great place to play football. I’m excited and can’t wait for the season to start.” said Cadden whilst looking on to Oakwell, speaking to iFollow Barnsley.

Duff clearly identified Cadden as a top target to fill the role of the Left Wing Back, with both wing-backs being a vital part of Duff's system. The board would've been very happy to go after Cadden due to him being a free transfer.

Nicky will link back up with his roommate at Forest Green last season, Jack Aitchinson. Aitchinson spent last season on loan at FGR where he played alongside his follow Scottsman and now Barnsley teammate Nicky Cadden.

Aitchinson (Left) and Cadden (Right) celebrating winning League Two last season.

CADDEN'S IMPACT ON BARNSLEY

The signing of Cadden is undoubtedly a strong one for us. His signing symbolises our intentions in this window, the signing of a player like Cadden is a great achievement in itself. As already stated, he had many other options but chose to come to Oakwell showing Barnsley is still an exciting place to come and we are able to attract very good players.

On the pitch, Cadden's impact will be significant. He will fill the gap needed for a Left Wing back. The graphic to the left shows Barnsley's current depth at LWB.

Wingbacks are vital parts of Duff's system and Barnsley will now have 2 strong wing-backs on each side with Cadden and Brittain. Brittain has undeniable quality and I strongly believe he will shine for Barnsley next season. Cadden and Brittain's attacking quality on each side will cause headaches for League 1 defenders.

His arrival will create a stronger backline with a healthy amount of center-backs as well as now a strong LWB and Williams and Brittain to play the RWB role. The defensive foundations have been laid and the reds will now focus on finding a new striker to bag the goals following the departure of Woodrow and Morris.