Barnsley 2, Hull 2: Boss's joy as Liverpool's Ryan Kent signs on loan for Reds

The winger has joined the ranks at Oakwell on a season long loan and becomes Heckingbottom’s eighth new signing of the summer.

The England under-20 international’s only goal during his spell at Coventry last term came against the Reds and Heckingbottom cannot wait to see him in a Barnsley shirt.

“I’m really excited about seeing him in action,” said the Reds’ boss.

“Playing out on either wing, he is fearless, and loves to take on his man and get balls into the box and he can finish.

“We first enquired about Ryan last summer and so I’m absolutely delighted to have him as part of our squad for next season. It’s testament to us as a club and our ability to nurture up and coming talent that he’s chosen us.”

Kent will have to feature in at least 75 per cent of the club’s first team fixtures due to a new clause for players loaned out from Anfield.

Meanwhile, a late equaliser cost Barnsley a deserved victory over Premier League outfit Hull City last night.

New boy Tom Bradshaw added a brace to his maiden Reds’ goal against Weston-Super-Mare after Adama Diomandé opened the scoring for the visitors only for substitute Jarred Bowen to equalise in the 86th minute.

Heckingbottom rotated his side after their 3-0 defeat to Everton at the weekend with Nick Townsend, James Bree, Josh Scowen and Marley Watkins coming in for Adam Davies, Andy Yiadom, George Moncur, and Elliot Lee.

It was the hosts who started the brighter of the two sides under the lights at Oakwell, with Watkins and Sam Winnall working Dušak Kuciak early on. But it was Hull who made the breakthrough as Diomandé was wonderfully played in behind by Shaun Maloney for an easy flick finish.

The Reds pushed hard for an equaliser and just after the half hour mark they were finally level as Bradshaw headed home the deserved equaliser from Adam Hammill’s cross.

Peter Odemwingie came close to re-establishing the lead moments later with Townsend on hand to keep the former West Brom man at bay with a stunning stop.

Eight minutes into the second period Bradshaw fired home his second of the night from James Bree’s driven cross. Just before the hour Bree was substituted as a precautionary measure after taking a slight knock.

With mere minutes remaining the ball fell to Bowen inside the box as he caressed his effort into the top corner.

the teams

Reds: Townsend, Bree (Yiadom, 59), Roberts, Mawson, White (Evans, 45), Hammill (Moncur, 45), Hourihane (D’Almeida, 71), Scowen, Watkins (Tuton, 81), Bradshaw (Payne, 75), Winnall (Lee, 45).

Subs: Davies, Nyatanga.

Hull City: Kuciak, Elmohamady, Tymon, Davies, Clackstone (Barkworth, 59), Diamé, Clucas, Maloney (Meyler, 77), Odemwingie (Olley, 87), Diomandé (Bowen, 45), Luer (Hernández, 54).

Subs: Jakupović, Robertson, Batty, Hinchliffe, Ter Horst.