Harrogate Town have made their second summer signing by snapping up former Newcastle United defender Lewis Cass following his departure from Grimsby Town.
The 25-year-old arrives on a two-year deal after spells with Port Vale, Stockport County, and Grimsby, adding strength and League One experience to Simon Weaver’s back line.
Harrogate Beat Rivals To Land Versatile Defender Cass
Cass brings with him a healthy CV that includes two promotions and nearly 100 EFL appearances across League One and Two. After breaking through during a loan spell at Hartlepool United—where he helped secure promotion from the National League in 2021—he joined Port Vale and became a key part of their successful League Two play-off campaign.
His time at Vale Park saw him register 31 appearances in League One, before a loan to Stockport County during their title-winning 2023/24 season added another promotion medal to his collection. Most recently, Cass featured 31 times for Grimsby in the first half of last season before seeking a new challenge.
Capable of operating both at right-back and centre-half, Cass offers Simon Weaver welcome tactical flexibility in defence. Harrogate’s head of recruitment Lloyd Kerry revealed that the club had tracked Cass for some time:
“We tried to bring him in a couple of seasons ago and have been monitoring him since. He’s a big, strong, powerful right-back who likes to go forward and knows the level well, so he’ll be a solid addition.”
Cass joins midfielder Jack Evans, formerly of Halifax Town, as Harrogate’s second signing of the summer window. The club are looking to build on a mid-table finish in League Two and push further up the standings next term.
He has been handed the number 24 shirt and will link up with the squad for pre-season as they prepare for their opening fixtures in late July.
Writer’s View
This is a smart, low-risk addition for Harrogate Town. Lewis Cass arrives with the kind of versatility and experience that can make a big difference in a compact, competitive League Two campaign. He’s played at a higher level, knows how to win promotion, and can slot into multiple defensive roles.
Crucially, Cass also fits Harrogate’s recruitment pattern—young enough to improve, experienced enough to lead. With a full pre-season ahead and a clear opportunity for regular football, this could be the perfect environment for him to thrive. If Harrogate have serious ambitions to progress next season, moves like this will help lay the foundation.
