Barnsley FC transfer news: Reds sign former Doncaster Rovers striker Max Watters on loan from Championship club Cardiff City

The one-time Doncaster Rovers forward completed a medical on Thursday and has now become the Reds' first capture of the January window.

London-born Watters, who began his career in non-league circles with Thurrock, Barking and Ashford United before heading to Rovers, will provide another attacking option for Reds head coach Michael Duff to compete alongside Devante Cole, James Norwood and Jack Aitchison, with loanee Slobodan Tedic currently injured.

Watter said: "I'm really happy to be here. "It's a brilliant club, great staff. I've seen quite a few games, it looks like a good team to play in.

"I've played here a few times against Barnsley - the fans were hard to play against so that's good. It's a tough place to come, I can't wait to get started."

Watters has made eight starts this season for the Bluebirds, without finding the net and he had been absent from the club's last six match-day squads.

Cardiff chief Mark Hudson said: "He felt that he was carrying a burden of why it hasn't worked here. I sit with players as much as I can, spend a lot of time with Max, away from prying eyes and ears. It's showing that I care.

"He had some interest, quite a lot of interest, from League One and Barnsley have knocked down the door for him to go there and play in a (front) two. They see he can be capable of scoring goals for them.

"We would then get a player back for next season."

Watters made just five appearances for Rovers before being released - and went onto make his name at League Two side Crawley.

He scored 16 goals in 19 appearances in the 2020-21 season to earn a big-money move to Wales, where he is contracted until the summer of 2024.

Watters has netted once in 22 appearances for the Bluebirds and spent time on loan last term at another League One outfit in MK Dons, scoring seven times in 14 games in all competitions.

The Reds have also been linked with Cardiff's utility man Tom Sang, but Hudson said he was unaware of any interest.