Chesterfield have confirmed their first signing of the summer, bringing winger Dilan Markanday back to the SMH Group Stadium on a three-year deal following his release from Blackburn Rovers.
The 22-year-old forward returns to Derbyshire having impressed during a loan spell with the Spireites in the first half of the 2024/25 season, where he scored seven goals in 24 appearances. His form caught the attention of parent club Blackburn, who recalled him in January.
He later joined Leyton Orient for the remainder of the season, contributing three goals in 17 appearances as the O’s reached the League One play-off final, narrowly losing 1-0 to Charlton Athletic at Wembley.
Delighted to Seal Permanent Move
Markanday, a former Tottenham Hotspur academy product, expressed his delight at sealing a permanent return to Chesterfield.
“I’m over the moon, really happy. It just feels like coming back home,” he said. “I’m at my happiest when I’m playing football and there’s no better environment than this to really help me do that.”
His performances in North Derbyshire helped the Spireites mount a serious promotion push in the National League before his January departure. With Chesterfield now targeting a place in the Football League, Markanday’s re-signing represents a statement of intent by manager Paul Cook.
The versatile attacker brings EFL experience as well as creativity and pace in the final third—qualities that will be vital as Chesterfield aim to build on last season’s progress and go one step further in 2025/26.
Chesterfield Last Season
The Spireites lost just one of 13 regular season matches to complete a late surge into the play-offs, but ultimately feel at the final hurdle. A surprise 2-0 defeat against out-of-form Walsall set them up for a semi-final exit, and their only goal in the 4-1 aggregate result came in the final minute of the second leg, long after the game was over as a content.
They’ll be among the favourites for promotion this season, with football betting sites placing them at 2/1 for promotion, and 10/1 for the title.
Writer’s View
This is a superb bit of business from Chesterfield. Dilan Markanday already knows the club, fits the system, and has previously thrived under Paul Cook’s leadership. His goals and flair gave the Spireites a different dimension last season, and now that he’s committed long-term, he could be a real talisman in their promotion charge.
After narrowly missing out last time, Chesterfield are wasting no time in assembling a squad with the quality and depth needed to go again. In Markanday, they have a player capable of lighting up the National League and beyond.
