With the first of July signifying the end of many player’s contracts, we will no doubt see plenty of transfer movement in the next week or so.
That being said, there has been plenty of movement in the fourth tier in the last week as many sides look to strengthen their squad for the forthcoming season.
This may just be the most competitive League Two in history, with some quality new sides joining an already stacked league. Both promoted sides, Wrexham and Notts County are expected to be bang there next season and their big budgets have both been well documented. As for the relegated sides, 2021/22 League Two winners Forest Green Rovers make an immediate return, as well as Morecambe, Accrington Stanley and MK Dons, who will all be looking for a return straight back to the third tier.
All three of last season’s losing play-off teams have improved their squad, Stockport stand out especially but Bradford and Salford both have the ammunition to challenge. That’s plenty of teams in with a chance already and we’ve not even spoken about Gillingham who have recruited well and after an impressive end to last season, will want to start in the same form.
As for the rest of League Two, plenty of clubs have recruited very smartly and a lot of transfers have happened in the past week, with quite a few moves going under the radar.
Here are five transfers that have happened in League Two in the last week which you may have missed…
Craig Clay: Leyton Orient to Sutton (Free)
Clay has spent the last six years of his career at Leyton Orient, helping the club achieve promotion from both the National League and League Two. The midfielder has completed the short move South of the River Thames to play for Sutton United next season, where he’ll be one of the most experienced heads in the dressing room.
It’s a great move for Sutton as experienced players are something that they’ve lacked in recent seasons. With the majority of their signings usually coming from the National League, signing a League Two winner is a big move for the U’s. With Sutton losing plenty of key players to League Two opposition this summer, it is vital that they address these departures with replacements and have found a good one in the middle of the park in Craig Clay.
James Daly: Woking to Harrogate (Free)
If you’re not too familiar with the National League, you may have not heard of Woking’s James Daly. He was incredibly influential last season, helping the Cards to their highest ever finish in the football pyramid. Fourth place in the National League was an incredible feat given the comparative size of the clubs around them and Woking knew it would be hard to keep hold of one of their star players.
Daly is very versatile and can play anywhere across the front three. He also has experience playing in the Football League, and at just 23 years of age, there is plenty more to come from the Englishman. Harrogate have made some good signings so far this summer and this could potentially be their best.
Murphy Mahoney: QPR to Swindon (Loan)
Swindon finally decided to start their transfer business with the loan signing of goalkeeper Murphy Mahoney from QPR. It’s fairly safe to say that Swindon fans on twitter have been worried over the last two weeks given the signings that other teams have been making, but Michael Flynn has finally got the ball rolling now.
Mahoney doesn’t have a whole lot of experience to his name though and it will be interesting to see if he can challenge for the number one spot at the County ground. Swindon fans will be happy to at least have a signing to talk about, but they will need to make a few more if they want to be competitive next season.
Luke Garbutt: Blackpool to Salford (Free)
Following his release from Blackpool, 30-year-old Garbutt was signed by Salford on Wednesday. The Ammies are yet again one of the favourites for promotion next season and given their budget, you’d expect them to be up their. Garbutt is quite the signing given he has 58 Championship appearances to his name as well as five appearances in the Premier League for Everton.
Garbutt was once heralded as Everton legend Leighton Baines’ future replacement, but that never materialised with the defender leaving Goodison Park in 2020. The 30-year-old still has the ability to be a starter for some clubs in League One so this could be a good piece of business for Salford if he can rediscover some form.
Nico Lawrence: Southampton to Colchester (Loan)
This week, Colchester acquired 19-year-old Nico Lawrence on a season-long loan from Southampton. The youngster spent the second half of the season with then-National League side Torquay. Lawrence’s performances impressed enough to earn the Gulls’ Young Player of the Season award despite making just 20 appearances.
Although he couldn’t save Torquay from relegation to the National League South, it was quite easy to see the quality that Lawrence possesses and still being a teenager, he’ll only get better. He’ll certainly go onto bigger and better things in the future, and Colchester have done well to gain his services for the forthcoming season.
Keep up to date with TheRealEFL for all the latest transfer rumours and deals as the summer progresses…
