BARNSLEY Football Club completed the signing of highly-rated defender Stephen Foster from Championship rivals Burnley in August 2007 and he has extended his stay with a new contract until the summer of 2010.

Stephen signed for Crewe as a youngster, making his first team debut for Dario Gradi's side in the 1998/1999 campaign. He went on to clock up 242 games for the Alex, netting 16 goals.

Very highly-rated by Crewe, Stephen was linked repeatedly with a switch to the Premiership during his spell at the Alexandra Stadium. The 26-year-old eventually left Crewe in June 2006, moving across the North West to Burnley, where he would go on to make 18 appearances.

Stephen proved to be the buy of the season as his cut price move to Oakwell was one of the shrewdest pieces of business the Club had done in years. He enjoyed a fantastic season and lead by example with a string of exemplary performances.

Stephen swept the board picking up every end of season award going at the end of the 2007/08 season.