Paul Corry believes Neil Farrugia could have potentially got a move to a higher level than the third tier of English football but feels Barnsley is a good club where he will receive ample opportunities to prove his worth.
On Friday, it was confirmed that Shamrock Rovers winger Farrugia would leave the League of Ireland and join League One side Barnsley on a two-and-a-half year deal.
"I just thought that his European performances might have got him higher up the food chain in the UK and that's not being disrespectful to Barnsley. I just think Neil's last 12 months warranted potentially a bigger move," he said.
"But it's a good club. Barnsley, he will play there, he will get opportunities. Conor Hourihane is the assistant manager there, there's a good Irish contingent within the club, so I'm sure he'll settle in quite well which is really important.
"But it's about playing when you get over there and he will get opportunities at Barnsley and Barnsley are a club who will always sell players on if they are progressing well and move them higher up the food chain.
"So I'm delighted for Neil and for his journey and for his growth. It's a really good opportunity. I was just a little bit surprised when I saw it was Barnsley if I'm being brutally honest."
Farrugia has been a key figure for Shamrock Rovers during an impressive UEFA Conference League campaign and with his exit among a number of other departures from Tallaght Stadium, it intensifies the Hoops' need to bolster their squad.
"I thought at different stages during the season, the squad probably does need to be freshened up," Corry said.
"A number of the players are heading towards 30 or 30-plus. They've done incredibly well for Shamrock Rovers and deserve all the plaudits.
"But I do think at some point along the line, you probably do need to freshen up with younger faces and players who are going to bring a bit more energy into your team.
"If you think of someone like Josh Honohan who came in from Cork City last year, he had a fantastic season.
"If you can find players within that mould who can come in and not necessarily play straight away but be there as a presence to push the senior players on and to maintain standards to then eventually take over the mantle from some of the players, I think the squad does need that."
