With the 2023/24 League Two season now firmly behind us, the dust has finally settled on which transfers have flopped and which ones have been game-changers to clubs’ seasons.
According to Transfermarkt, 426 moves were made across the fourth division in the winter window. It is a figure which includes renewals of loan deals such as Rob Apter’s extension to his spell at Tranmere Rovers for the remainder of last season, which ultimately saw him win the EFL League Two Young Player of the Season.
Whilst many moves did not play out how clubs may have hoped for, a few proved to help clubs enormously in their ambitions and turned the fortunes of their sides around.
Let’s take a look at some of the best moves made across the league in January 2024. Did we miss any? Let us know on social media.
Honourable Mentions
Some players were certainly successes for their sides, such as the highly anticipated Alassana Jatta at Notts County. It may have taken him a while to arrive since the confirmation of his move due to work permit issues, but once he arrived at Meadow Lane, he certainly proved the hype around him was warranted. He recorded five goals and two assists in his last seven matches of the season and will give Stuart Maynard some hope for better days come the start of next season.
Mo Faal was brought to Walsall following the departure of Freddie Draper to Lincoln City in the window. Whilst he may not have been able to match the 10 goals the 19-year-old scored in the first half of the season, the West Bromwich Albion loanee held his own and scored six times in 20 matches following his move from Doncaster Rovers.
After Harry Lewis joined Carlisle United, there were doubts about how his replacement, Sam Walker, would do at Bradford City. Having barely played a game at Charlton Athletic, the 32-year-old moved on a free to Valley Parade and showed his ability with The Bantams, who narrowly missed a play-off place on the final day. He made a save percentage of 74.7% for the club and recorded seven clean sheets.
5 – Remeao Hutton, Gillingham
The Kent club swooped in to buy Remeao Hutton from strugglers Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee, joining Gills on January 17. Across his 20 appearances for the side, he was a consistent performer for Stephen Clemence at both ends with five clean sheets and producing 203 crosses. Next season under Mark Bonner should see Hutton continue his growth at a side that can challenge at the top of the league.
4 – Thimothee Lo-Tutala, Doncaster Rovers
The Hull City goalkeeper moved to South Yorkshire on loan, and immediately made his mark on the side. Louis Jones was removed from his first-choice spot by Grant McCann and the Frenchman’s installation proved to be one of many factors in the late charge Doncaster made. Rovers lost just once whilst Lo Tutala was in the net and recorded a save percentage of 75.9%. Whilst he may have been sent off against Gillingham (which was amazingly overturned later on), he was a brilliant and competent addition between the sticks.
3 – Cole Stockton, Barrow
The 30-year-old was struggling to make an impact at Burton Albion following his free transfer to the Pirelli in the summer and was loaned out to Pete Wild’s side for the remainder of the season. Stockton rediscovered the prowess he showed at Morecambe with seven goals in 17 games, which put him fourth in The Bluebirds’ scoring charts for the season. Barrow’s season faltered at the final hurdle with Crawley Town and Doncaster sneaking past them in the final stages to drop out of the playoffs by one point, but Stockton showed that he still has that goalscoring prowess for wherever he will go next season.
2 – Jeremy Kelly, Crawley Town
The American joined Scott Lindsey’s side on deadline day and fit straight into the midfield as Crawley disproved any pre-season doubts in their battle to sneak into the play-offs. His consistency and versatility proved useful, and he provided a goal for The Red Devils in a 3-1 win against Tranmere Rovers. Whilst it was another Kelly that stole the headlines in the Wembley win, Jeremy had a 98% pass success rate in the final, before being subbed off just shy of full-time as Crawley clinched promotion to League One.
1 – Hakeeb Adelakun, Doncaster Rovers
Joining on loan from Lincoln City, Adelakun was the focal point of the Doncaster resurgence in the second half of the season. Following his debut on January 27 in a 5-1 loss against Stockport County, Rovers were 22nd in the table. By the end of the season, they finished fifth following a 10-game winning run. Adelakun recorded nine goals and seven assists in 17 matches as Grant McCann’s side ended with a penalty shootout loss to Crewe Alexandra in the Playoff semi-final. Adelakun does not seem likely to return to the Eco-Power Stadium, but the move to bring him to Yorkshire was undoubtedly the best transfer of the League Two winter transfer window.
