Leyton Orient have secured the signing of midfielder Tyreeq Bakinson from Wycombe Wanderers, with the 26-year-old agreeing a three-year contract.
The former Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City man becomes Orient’s sixth signing of the summer as Richie Wellens reshapes his squad ahead of the new League One campaign.
Wellens Gets His Man After Long-Term Interest
Bakinson spent just one season at Adams Park, making 34 appearances in all competitions but struggling to command a regular starting role. His strongest spells of involvement came during brief autumn and winter runs, but he ultimately found himself behind Magnus Westergaard and Caolan Boyd-Munce in the pecking order.
With minutes increasingly limited under Mike Dodds, and his contract status unresolved, Bakinson has now made the move to East London, linking up with an Orient side looking to build on last season’s progress.
The midfielder has flown out to Spain to join his new teammates at their warm-weather training camp and could feature as early as Friday in a friendly against Pafos FC.
Speaking after completing the switch, Bakinson said he was eager to get going in red:
“I’m delighted to get it over the line and be here with the boys. I’m really excited to get started for the season. The first session was tough in this heat, but the manager wants the fitness and intensity from his teams, and it was really good to start getting used to what the staff want from us.”
Orient head coach Richie Wellens, who has tracked Bakinson for some time, welcomed the move, saying:
“Technically, he’s an excellent player, and he’s coming into an age now where we feel he is ready to hit the peak of his abilities… We’re confident that he can bring real athleticism and tenacity into our midfield.”
The midfielder will be eligible to face his former club just weeks after leaving, with Orient hosting Wycombe in the first round of the League Cup on 12 August.
Writer’s View
Tyreeq Bakinson’s move to Leyton Orient is a smart piece of business. His time at Wycombe never quite clicked, but he showed flashes of quality and still has a lot to offer at League One level. Wellens’ faith in Bakinson is telling—he’s a long-term admirer and clearly believes he can thrive in Orient’s high-tempo, possession-based system.
With midfield departures at Brisbane Road, the fit seems perfect. If Bakinson settles quickly and finds consistency, he could prove to be one of the more underrated pickups of the summer window.
