(Focus on EFL Championship, League 1 & League 2)
Phoenix Sport’s Scott W reports on some of the latest deals that transpired this week (w.e Jan 6th ’17), the first full week of the January Transfer Window. Who have your club signed?
Luke Murphy [Leeds – Burton] Loan
Midfielder Murphy has joined Nigel Clough’s Brewers on loan unil the end of the season, having struggled for games this season under Garry Monk. Murphy, 27, has already made more than 100 appearances for the Elland Road side since his move from Crewe three-and-a-half years ago.
Reece Brown [Sheffield Utd – Bury] Free Transfer
Defender Brown has re-joined Bury until the end of the current season, having recently left high-flyers Sheffield Utd. Brown, 25, also spent last season at the JD Stadium.
The Shakers have also signed defender Australian youth international Cameron Burgess on loan from Fulham until the end of the season. England youth international Taylor Moore has also joined the Shakers , on loan from Bristol City until the end of the current campaign.
Lawson D’Ath [Northampton – Luton] Undisclosed
Midfielder D’Ath joins the Hatters on an 18-month contract, having struggled for playing time so far this season at Sixfields under Rob Page. D’Ath also began his career at Reading, whilst also having productive loan spells at Dagenham & Redbridge and Yeovil earlier in his career.
Kevin Foley [Charlton – Coventry] Free Transfer
Experienced defender Foley, 32 joins Russell Slade’s men from Slade’s former club Charlton on a deal until the end of the current season. Foley, who also used to play for Wolves & Luton, joins the Sky Blues’ dogfight to avoid the drop into League 2.
Greg Halford [Rotherham – Cardiff] Undisclosed
Utility man Halford, 32, joins Cardiff on an 18-month contract, once again playing for a side managed by Neil Warnock, after having played for him at Rotherham last season.
In other news at Cardiff, forward Lex Immers has been let go by the club, just seven months after he joined the club, and has returned to the Netherlands. Also, non-league striker Ibrahim Meite, 20, has joined the club from Ryman Premier Division club Harrow Borough.
Shaun Harrad [Wrexham – Torquay] Free Transfer
Striker Harrad has re-joined Torquay after a spell at rivals Wrexham earlier this season. Torquay, who at this moment are six points clear of the bottom four in the National League, will hope to utilise Harrad’s considerable experience to lift them up the table. In other news at Torquay, Exeter forward Jamie Reid has extended his loan spell at Plainmoor until the end of the season.
Nathan Blissett [Torquay – Plymouth] £15,000
Striker Blissett joins the Pilgrims’ chase for promotion from League Two on a undisclosed-length contract. Blissett, whose uncle Luther famously played for Watford, Bournemouth and AC Milan, will certainly hope to assist his new side in reaching League One.
Jake Forster-Caskey [Brighton – Charlton] Undisclosed
Midfielder Forster-Caskey joins the Addicks on two-and-half year deal. Forster-Caskey played for current Addicks boss Karl Robinson when he was at MK Dons during two loan spells there last season. Forster-Caskey, who made his debut at Brighton at just 16, will surely look to push on with regular football at the Valley.
Gavin Gunning [Greenock Morton (Scotland) – Grimsby Town] Free Transfer
Defender Gunning joins Marcus Bignot’s League Two side after a short spell at SPFL Championship side Greenock Morton earlier this season. Gunning, 25, who has turned out for Blackburn, Rotherham and Dundee Utd earlier in his career, will be looking to keep the Mariners in mid-table.
Freddie Ladapo [Crystal Palace – Shewsbury] Loan
Nomadic striker Ladapo also joins the Shrews’ dogfight against relegation, after signing on loan for the remainder of the season. Ladapo, who arguably had his best spells at Margate and Grays Athletic in Non-League earlier in his career, will perhaps try to settle at New Meadow. He had a loan spell at Shrewbury’s rivals Oldham earlier this season.
Alex Rodman [Notts County – Shrewsbury] Undisclosed
Winger Rodman joins League One Shewsbury from League Two strugglers Notts County on an 18-month contract. Rodman, who counts Tamworth, Grimsby & Gateshead among his former clubs, will look to assist Shewsbury’s own fight against the drop into League Two this season.
Ademola Lookman [Charlton – Everton] £11m
Ronald Koeman’s side have also spent big on promising talent, signing Lookman from League One Charlton Athletic. He joins on a contract until the summer of 2021. He becomes the most expensive signing from a EFL League One club.
Wilfred Ndidi [Genk (Belgium) – Leicester City] Reportedly £15m
Claudio Ranieri’s Foxes have invested heavily in this promising anchor midfielder, who has signed a deal until the summer of 2022. Foxes fans will not want reminding that since losing N’Golo Kante to Chelsea in the summer, their midfield probably hasn’t been the same.
Rudy Gestede [Aston Villa – Middlesbrough] – Undisclosed
Benin international striker Gestede joins Aitor Karanka’s men on a three-and-a-half-year contract for a fee of at least £6 million. Ex-Blackburn forward Gestede has largely been over-looked by current Villa boss Steve Bruce, though ‘Boro will hope he can assist loan star Alvaro Negredo up front.
Lee Grant [Derby – Stoke ] £1.3m
Goalkeeper Grant has signed for the Potters on a permanent basis, after a successful loan spell which saw him deputise for the injured Jack Butland. Grant, 33, has signed a deal until the summer of 2019. With Butland thought to be out for a considerable period, Grant may continue to have a run in the team.
Jens Hegeler [Hertha Berlin (Germany) – Bristol City] Undisclosed
Midfielder Hegeler has also been added to the Robins’ squad as they also seek to survive in the EFL Championship this season. Hegeler, who also counts Bayer Leverkusen among his former clubs and played in the Champions’ League during his six-year tenure there. His has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Ashton Gate.
Milan Djuric [Cesena (Italy) – Bristol City] Undisclosed
Bosnia striker Djuric joins from Serie B side Cesena on a contract until the summer of 2019. He has represented his country 14 times, scoring seven goals. This is his first taste of English football.
Alex Reid [Rushall Olympic – Fleetwood Town] Undisclosed
Ex-Aston Villa trainee Reid has joined League One Fleetwood Town for an undisclosed fee. Reid, who has been blasting home the goals for Evo-Stik Premier Division leaders Rushall, will now be hoping to make the most of his chance to make it in the EFL.
Luke Varney [Ipswich Town – Burton] Free Transfer
Experienced striker Varney has joined Nigel Clough’s Brewers on a deal until summer 2018, after having the remaining days of his Ipswich contract cancelled. Varney, who previously played Charlton, Leeds and Blackburn, will look to add to Burton’s striking options as they attempt to survive in the Championship this season.
Samir Carruthers [MK Dons – Sheffield Utd] Undisclosed
Promotion-chasing Sheffield Utd boosted their ranks with the signing of attacking midfielder Carruthers on a deal which takes him through until the summer of 2020. Samir, 23, who began his career at Aston Villa, made nearly 100 league appearances for the Dons.
Keith Keane [Cambridge – Rochdale] Free Transfer
Midfielder Keane left League Two side Cambridge Utd by ‘mutual consent’ which allowed him to sign for Rochdale on an 18-month deal, following a loan spell with Keith Hill’s men.
Joey Barton [Unattached – Burnley] Free Transfer
Despite the lingering possibility of a FA ban relating to betting, Barton, now 34 has re-signed for Sean Dyche’s side until the end of the current campaign. It seems a while ago now though ex-Newcastle & QPR midfielder was a member of Burnley’s Championship-winning side last season.