Ebbsfleet United have today landed striker Aaron McLean after his short-term contract with Barnet expired.
The 32-year-old will bring a wealth of experience with him to the Fleet forward line, having played more than 350 games in the Football League, scoring upwards of 100 goals.
The former Leyton Orient youth player broke into the Os’ first team aged just 16 and played four seasons in the Football League, before dropping into non-league football with Aldershot Town and Grays Athletic, where he played regularly against the Fleet. At Grays he won the FA Trophy in 2005/06 and, averaging a goal every other game, was lured back into the League by Peterborough United in 2007.
He scored 70 goals for Posh in a four-season stay that included successive promotions from League Two to the Championship and continued at that level when signing for Hull City in January 2011. He played one game for Hull in the Premier League in 2013, against Tottenham, and also had spells on loan at Ipswich Town and Birmingham City. He has also played five times for the England C team and won the League Two Golden Boot in 2007/08 with his return of 29 goals in 45 games.
Since leaving Hull, Aaron has played in League One with Bradford City and Peterborough once more before last summer signing a short-term deal at Barnet. A regular starter for the Bees this season, he scored five goals in partnership with former Fleet favourite John Akinde, before agreeing a move to Stonebridge Road.
Daryl McMahon told FleetOnline, “Following the departure of Adam Cunnington to Bromley I have been looking to bring in another striker to give me attacking options in the remaining 18 games and I am delighted to have persuaded Aaron to drop down two levels. He is a bubbly character and has bought into our plans for progressing the club on and off the pitch and he will give us greater competition for places.”
