Josh Stephenson joined the Bees in November 2024 and slotted straight into the B team side that went on to win the Professional Development League title.

Stephenson joined on a four-year deal with a 12-month club option from Millwall where he spent seven years and had previously been Under-18s captain.

The young defender, like many in the B team set up, is comfortable playing as a left sided centre-half in a back two or three but is also adept at left-back.

In the second half of the 2024/25 season, Josh made 30 starts and one substitute appearance for Neil MacFarlane’s side.

He registered two assists from defence, one the result of an incredible solo run to set up Caelan Avenell in the Premier League Cup semi-final against Southampton at St Mary’s stadium.

Josh formed an excellent partnership with Benjamin Arthur, and throughout the campaign recorded 67 per cent ant 65 per cent success rate in offensive and defensive duels respectively, whilst also averaging 6.94 ball recoveries per game.