Emile Acquah departs Maidenhead United for a return to league football with Barrow

Maidenhead United have announced the departure of Emile Acquah, bringing an end to a three-year stay during which the young forward developed tremendously.

Since joining from Southend United on a permanent basis at the end of the 2020/21 season, Acquah made 76 appearances for the Magpies.

He found his best form in his second full season at York Road, scoring 13 goals in the National League before deservedly making a debut for England C in March this year.

Acquah won the players’ player of the year award for the 2022/23 campaign for his efforts in helping the Magpies avoid relegation to the National League South.

On Tuesday night, the club announced his return to the football league as he joins Barrow for an undisclosed fee.

It shouldn’t come as a total surprise to the Maidenhead United faithful given the 22-year-old didn’t put pen to paper on a new deal for the forthcoming season.

Notably, this is the seventh consecutive season where the Magpies’ top scorer hasn’t lasted beyond the following transfer window.

As reported by fan account GoMadStopCaring on Twitter, Acquah to Barrow follows Josh Kelly to Solihull Moors; Danilo Orsi-Dadomo to Harrogate Town; Danny Whitehall to Kilmarnock; Adrian Clifton to Bromley; Harry Pritchard to Blackpool and Dave Tarpey to Barnet.

Alan Devonshire and his management team will now need to delve into the transfer market to find a replacement for Acquah. Shawn McCoulsky and Harry Parsons are currently the only two strikers in the first team squad.