Former Premier League star looking for 14TH club at 36 after waking up unemployed following release by non-league side
GARY HOOPER has been released by Barnet following their National League play-off semi-final defeat to Solihull Moors.
Hooper, 36, signed for the Bees last October following a four-year stint abroad.
The former Celtic striker played seven times in the National League for Dean Brennan’s side, in addition to a further five outings in the FA Cup.
Hooper’s final Barnet appearance came on December 16 as a substitute in their 1-1 draw with Ebbsfleet.
He was initially named on the bench for their clash with Boreham Wood on December 23, but was a late scratch.
The experienced forward did not feature in a matchday squad again for Barnet.
Hooper has been released alongside three of his Bees team-mates.
After confirming the news, Barnet wrote on social media: “Thank you to Moussa Diarra, Courtney Senior, Sam Granville and Gary Hooper for their efforts at the club and we wish them all the best for the future.”
Hooper will now mull over whether to continue his career.
The Harlow-born ace began with Grays Athletic after being released by Tottenham at 14.
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Hooper's career in numbers
Striker has enjoyed a prolific career
2003-2006 – Grays Athletic 69 (20)
2006-2008 – Southend United 44 (4)
2007 – Leyton Orient (loan) 4 (2)
2008 – Hereford United (loan) 19 (11)
2008-2010 – Scunthorpe United 95 (50)
2010-2013 – Celtic 137 (82)
2013-2016 – Norwich City 70 (20)
2015-2016 – Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 34 (13)
2016-2019 – Sheffield Wednesday 55 (18)
2019-2020 – Wellington Phoenix 22 (9)
2020-21 – Kerala Blasters 18 (5)
2021-22 – Wellington Phoenix 14 (4)
2022-23 – Omonia 14 (3)
2023 – Gulf United 4 (2)
2023-24 – Barnet 12 (2)
He subsequently moved to Southend in 2006, and went on to have loan spells at Leyton Orient and Hereford United from Roots Hall.
In 2008 he moved to Scunthorpe, where he began to make his name as a goalscorer.
Following 50 goals in 95 appearances for the Iron, Hooper landed a £2.4million move to Celtic.
He swiftly became a hero at Parkhead, scoring 82 goals in 137 outings and winning two Scottish Premiership titles and a pair of Scottish Cups.
Hooper also got to feature in the Champions League during his time at Celtic, helping the Hoops to the round of 16 during the 2012-13 campaign.
A £5m switch to Norwich followed, giving Hooper his first taste of the Premier League.
After six Prem goals in his debut campaign, he went on to bag 12 in 30 appearances after Norwich returned to the Championship.
In January 2016 Sheffield Wednesday forked out £3m for his services, with Hooper going on to score 31 goals in 89 outings for the Owls.
Hooper left English football in 2019, joining A-League side Wellington Phoenix.
During his time away from these shores he also played in India, Cyprus and Dubai before returning to sign for Barnet last October.
