With the beginning of the 2023/24 League Two season quickly approaching, teams have been busy getting transfers confirmed for their retrospective campaigns to be successful. But what transfer will prove to be the best for your League Two club?
Accrington Stanley: Kelvin Mellor
Accrington Stanley hasn’t been too busy in the transfer window yet, but they have brought in 32-year-old Kelvin Mellor following his deal at Crewe Alexandra expiring.
The full-back, who can also play as a centre-back and featured in 36 League Two games for The Railwaymen, scoring twice and assisting twice from right back.
Furthermore, he’s got plenty of experience in this division, playing 249 League Two games with teams such as Crewe Alexandra, Carlisle, Morecambe, Bradford and Plymouth.
This transfer represents good business from Accrington as they look to bounce back into League One next season. Mellor will bring a burst of energy to the right side of the pitch, defensive attributes and the ability to chip in with a goal and assist when needed.
AFC Wimbledon: Jake Reeves
It’s been an active summer window so far for The Dons, but the return of 30-year-old midfielder Jake Reeves stood out as their best bit of business.
The midfielder has had a successful career since leaving AFC Wimbledon in 2017. He has represented Bradford City, Notts County and most recently, Stevenage. He helped achieve promotion to League One with Stevenage last season, being involved in 41 League games and racking up four goals and four assists.
The midfielder will surely be more impactful than he was during his first spell at The Dons and will bring both stability to the midfield as well as experience in getting promoted from League Two.
Barrow AFC: David Worrall
Barrow will be looking to strengthen their squad following their 9th-placed finish in League Two last season, and they have with the addition of 33-year-old midfielder David Worrall following the expiration of his deal at Port Vale.
During his seven-year stay at Port Vale, he amassed 248 appearances, including 22 goals and 48 assists across both League Two and League One where in his most recent campaign, he played 39 games in League One as Port Vale clinched safety.
The midfielder promises to bring both creativity and a vast amount of experience to Barrow.
Bradford City: Alex Pattison
25-year-old Pattison was due a move of this magnitude following his 22/23 campaign with fellow League Two side Harrogate Town. Playing 38 times and providing eight goals and five assists to a side that finished 19th in the league.
The creative central midfielder will leave a substantial creative gap in the Harrogate side but, he will bring that to Bradford in abundance.
Colchester United: Ellis Iandolo
Due to Colchester being a team that I feel may finish towards the bottom of the league next season, it has meant I couldn’t bring myself to choose their young loan signings, despite them looking promising.
Therefore, I have chosen 25-year-old full-back Ellis Iandolo from Swindon Town. Iandolo has earned himself 107 League Two games under his belt so far, bringing an array of experience to Colchester.
Most recently, he featured in 23 games for Swindon in the 2022/23 season, getting himself a singular goal and assist during the campaign. While the signing is good, I feel The U’s will need more signings to compete in this division.
Crawley Town: Liam Kelly
Despite Rochdale being relegated from League Two last season, Liam Kelly proved he does have League Two ability, getting himself one goal and six assists for a team that did struggle throughout the 22/23 campaign.
The midfielder has experience at clubs higher in the pyramid than Crawley too, with experience at Reading and Kelly should be able to prove why he attracted interest from the Red Devils during his performances next season.
Crewe Alexandra: Shilow Tracey
Perhaps my most controversial opinion considering the most popular bit of business between Crewe fans was the signing of Jack Powell from Crawley but I’ve gone for 25-year-old winger Shilow Tracey following his departure from League One side Cambridge United.
The Newham-born winger was heavily involved in the U’s survival in League One last season, playing 37 games and getting one goal and three assists.
Tracey promises great fitness as he played a majority of Cambridge’s games and also promises a potential long-term place in the Crewe team, being only 25.
Doncaster Rovers: Joe Ironside
What a window it has been so far from Doncaster Rovers, bringing in a variety of talents such as Deji Sotana from Burnley, Richard Wood from Rotherham and Jack Senior from Halifax Town. But the marquee signing has to be Joe Ironside from League One side Cambridge United.
The striker, who stands at 185cm tall, promises guaranteed goals for Doncaster as he has netted 35 goals in 145 goals during his time at the U’s but, he can also be a potential playmaker as he gained 14 assists in the same amount of time.
Forest Green Rovers: Ryan Inniss
This is a top bit of business from Forest Green in their hopes of bouncing back to League One following relegation from the division last season.
Inniss is a central defender who stands at 197 cm tall and featured in 36 games for League One side Charlton Athletic.
The defender is rarely beaten in the air as he claimed 90-headed clearances last season, as well as popping up with an occasional goal contribution, as he got himself two goals last season.
He will almost certainly help to improve the Forest Green defence that let in 89 goals in their abysmal 22/23 League One season.
Gillingham: Jonny Williams
It was difficult to pick Gillingham’s best signing this season, as they keep adding additions that get into contention for that title, but I have chosen the former Wales international, Jonny Williams.
The attacking midfielder was very impressive for Swindon Town last season, getting ten goals and two assists in 37 league appearances.
He also brings an incredible level of experience as he has featured in all of England’s top four divisions across his 12-year professional career.
Grimsby Town: Rekiel Pyke
Pkye is a very versatile player and will be bringing that to the Mariners following his departure from Shrewsbury Town.
During the 22/23 campaign, Pyke played predominantly as a right-back (despite being able to play as a striker and a winger) and got himself three goals and two assists in 37 League One games.
His vast experience in the EFL with teams like Colchester, Port Vale and Rochdale will prove heavily important to the Grimsby squad, which is a young squad with an average age of 24.4 years old.
Harrogate Town: Matty Daly
Harrogate were able to bring Daly back following his loan spell for the club last season, in which he got seven goals and two assists across a 35 league games.
The 22-year-old attacking midfielder will hope to continue his success at the Sulphurites going into the 2023/24 season.
Mansfield Town: Aaron Lewis
Perhaps my Newport bias is playing a part in this pick, but Aaron Lewis for me is the best addition to Field Mill so far this summer.
The versatile wing-back, who can also play as a midfielder, brings all you want within a wing-back: pace, good work ethic, decent passing, good crossing and smart, quick decisions.
The 25-year-old got himself one goal and provided seven assists throughout the 22/23 campaign for Newport County.
MK Dons: Cameron Norman
Now this one isn’t my bias, but statistically speaking, Cameron Norman was one of the top overall performers from right back last season in League Two.
Playing in all 46 league games for The Exiles and getting himself five goals and five assists in the process.
He has it all for a League Two fullback: pace, physicality, good positioning and passing.
He is the perfect signing for MK Dons who will look to succeed this season after being relegated from League One in the 2022/23 season.
Morecambe: Chris Stokes
The 32-year-old centre-back has joined the Shrimps from Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock following 44 appearances over two seasons for the club.
The centre-back, who stands at 185cm tall, will look to help improve the Morecambe defence that leaked in 78 goals last season, subsequently relegating them from League One.
Also, he will bring some vital EFL experience, playing for Forest Green Rovers and Coventry City in the past which makes Stokes looks to be a sensible addition from Morecambe.
Newport County: Shane McLoughlin
Newport has made eight additions to their squad in hopes of further stability in the Football League and 26-year-old Shane McLoughlin will look to bring that to the right-back position following his release from League Two rival Salford City.
The wing-back brings versatility too as he can play central midfield if needs be.
Furthermore, he’s got experience in League Two with the likes of AFC Wimbledon, Morecambe and Salford.
Shane also looks to bring a winning mentality to the Exiles as he featured in Salford’s playoff run last season after signing for the club in January of 2023, playing 10 games during his time at the Ammies.
Notts County: David McGoldrick
35-year-old striker David McGoldrick returns to Notts following their promotion back into the EFL, as one of the best summer signings in the football league so far.
The striker has proven himself in every professional division in England, most notably in the Premier League with Sheffield United.
Most recently, the striker had a brief spell at Pride Park with Derby County and impressed, scoring 22 goals and earning five assists in 39 League One games for the Rams.
This clearly proves that he can still be a top player for Notts County as they look for back-to-back promotions.
Salford City: Curtis Tilt
This signing hasn’t got the attention it deserves in my opinion. 31-year-old centre-back Curtis Tilt has joined the Ammies following a spell with Wigan Athletic, which may have led to unfortunate relegation from the Championship.
However, he made 26 Championship appearances last season as well as 156 League One games under his belt, which suggests that he will bring experience and ability that on paper, is above the level of League Two.
Stockport County: Nick Powell
Another signing of the season contender. Powell has nearly 200 Championship games under his belt at 29 years of age and has an impressive track record of 48 goals and 18 assists in that time.
The attacking midfielder, who can also play striker, was let go by Stoke City following 25 appearances and four goals in England’s second division last season.
Considering Powell was rated by Sir Alex Ferguson as ‘the next Paul Scholes’ during Powell’s time at Manchester United, you can clearly see why Stockport fans are excited, especially after last season, where they narrowly missed out on promotion.
Sutton United: Ryan Jackson
While not as immediately noticeable and “big” as some of the other signings on this list, 32-year-old Ryan Jackson is still a good signing.
Released by League One side Cheltenham following 38 League One games and six assists to go with it. The right-back will be in a division he is very familiar with as he has 192 League Two games with the likes of Colchester and Newport.
A very reasonable and smart signing from Sutton who will look to further establish themselves as a competitive club.
Swindon Town: Dan Kemp
There has been a lot of uncertainty for Swindon fans so far this summer, but one thing that is for certain is that this is a great loan signing.
The 24-year-old winger is on loan at the club from fellow League Two side MK Dons and will provide pace and creativity to Michael Flynn’s side.
The winger isn’t unfamiliar with this league either, as he has racked up 65 appearances in the division and has managed to claim 15 goals and eight assists in England’s fourth tier.
Tranmere Rovers: Regan Hendry
There’s been a bit of business coming in for Tranmere, with the most exciting one likely being the return of 25-year-old midfielder Ryan Hendry.
Similarly to Matty Daly at Harrogate Town, Hendry was on loan at Rovers during the 22/23 season, playing 22 League games and getting one goal and one assist.
The former Scotland U19 international will surely look to improve from those numbers this campaign and will look to prove to the club he was released by (Forest Green Rovers) that he is a quality player.
Walsall: Danny Johnson
“The Return of DJ” has got many Saddlers fans optimistic about the upcoming campaign.
The striker was on loan at Walsall during the 22/23 season from July 2022 until January 2023, and he did not disappoint, scoring 15 goals and two assists across 30 games.
He is one of many great free signings made by Walsall this summer as they look to become dark horses in League Two.
Wrexham AFC: Will Boyle
Only one choice here as the Red Dragons are yet to splash the cash after their long-awaited promotion back into the EFL, but Boyle is a good start.
Joining from Huddersfield, the centre-back has a range of experience around the 3rd and 2nd tiers in England and will surely boost the back line for Wrexham next season as they could also be looking at back-to-back promotions.
What are your thoughts on this list?
