Nicolau spent the following season at Barnet, and was released by the club after one season, before manager Paul Fairclough changed his mind and decided to offer Nicolau a new contract. He left the club at the end of the 2007–08 season after turning down a new contract. After a trial at Brighton & Hove Albion, he moved on trial with Grimsby Town in August 2008 and played in a behind closed doors friendly against Winterton Rangers but despite impressing in the game, manager Alan Buckley decided to let Nicolau leave the club the following day. Nicolau re-signed for the Bees in September 2008, turning down an offer from Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus as he would have to complete national service, before leaving the club for a third time at the end of the season.