News and rumours involving League One clubs from papers and the web…
BRADFORD CITYBantams defender Andrew Davies has signed a new two-year deal and skipper Gary Jones has penned a new one-year contract with the promoted West Yorkshire club.
Both games in City’s week long trip to Ireland next month have now been confirmed, they will play Airtricity First Division Athlone Town on Tuesday July 16 and then four days later face Premier Division side Bohemian at Dalymount Park.
Bradford have been linked with a move for former Charlton Athletic and Millwall midfielder Therry Racon. The 29-year-old Guadeloupe international, a free agent after leaving the New Den, worked under boss Phil Parkinson during his time at the Valley.
BRENTFORD
The Bees have clinched the permanent signing of left-back Jake Bidwell from Everton. The 20-year-old, who joins on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee, has made 75 appearances for Brentford while on loan from the Goodison Park club.
Joining him at Griffin Park is 19-year-old goalkeeper Jack Bonham on a two-year deal from Championship side Watford.
Having already signed Swindon skipper Alan McCormack this summer Brentford are now being linked with a move for Robins defender Darren Ward.
BRISTOL CITY
Out of favour Derby County goalkeeper Frank Fielding looks as if he is on the way to Ashton Gate after the two sides agreed a fee. Robins boss Sean O’Driscoll has been searching for a shot-stopper after releasing Dean Gerken and Tom Heaton left for Burnley.
City have announced that Rangers, now in the Scottish Second Division following last season’s title romp, will be visiting Ashton Gate for a pre-season friendly on July 13.
CARLISLE UNITED
The Cumbrians have taken David Amoo on a two-year deal after the striker left Tranmere Rovers at the end of last season. The 22-year-old has Europa League experience at Liverpool and has also appeared for MK Dons, Bury and Hull City all on loan plus Preston.
COLCHESTER UNITED
Striker Jabo Ibehre has signed a new two-year contract with the U’s having arrived from MK Dons in January. He has scored eight goals in 31 appearances for United including a previous loan spell.
However defender John White has left the club having turned down the offer of a new deal at the Weston Homes Community Stadium. The 26-year-old has made 255 United appearances since arriving at the club aged 11.
COVENTRY CITY
Sky Blues boss Steven Pressley has stated that he wants to sign around seven players when the club once City come out of administration. This follows the club’s administrator accepting a bid from Otium Entertainment Group.
CRAWLEY TOWN
Midfielder Andy Drury has joined the Sussex side on a two-year deal following his release from Ipswich Town. The 29-year-old scored four goals in 15 loan games at the Broadfield Stadium last season.
Both Crawley and Bradford City are understood to be among a number of clubs who have enquired about Cheltenham Town midfielder Marlon Pack.
NOTTS COUNTY
County’s pre-season schedule was released this week and they will be preparing for the new campaign with several games against varying standards of European opposition.
They start with a ‘behind closed doors’ friendly against Romanian Champions Steaua Bucharest, at the St George’s Park training complex in Burton on July 2.
This is followed by a 10-day training camp in Finland, where they’ll play Palloseura Kemi Kings, Tervarit Dream Team and JJK.
Then on July 16 European giants Galatasaray (Turkey) travel to Meadow Lane and they are followed seven days later by Spanish La Liga side Rayo Vallecano.
Mick Jones has returned to the club as assistant manager to Chris Kiwomya, he is a former County player and was assistant to Neil Warnock during his time as boss of the Magpies in the early 90’s.
The Magpies longest-seving player Neal Bishop is to leave Meadow Lane after having his deal cancelled by mutual consent. The 31-year-old midfielder has played 193 times since joining in July 2009.
LEYTON ORIENT
Striker David Mooney has signed a new two-year deal with the East Londoners. The Irishman netted 13 times last season.
Shaun Batt, who scored three goals in 13 games while on loan from Millwall last season, could be a target for O’s boss Russell Slade after rejecting a new deal with the Lions.
The E10 outfit have announced this week that they will be entertaining the recently re-launched New York Cosmos in a friendly at the Matchroom Stadium on Wednesday, July 24.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC
Dutch midfielder Sidney Schmeltz has signed a two-year deal with the Latics having previously played for Willem II, Sparta Rotterdam and most recently SC Volendam.
Fellow midfielder Korey Smith also joined on a two-year contract this week. The 22-year-old was on loan at Boundary Park from Norwich City in the closing months of last season making 10 appearances.
Defender James Tarkowski, one of five out-of-contract players offered new deals at the club, has agreed a new two-year deal at Boundary Park but goalkeeper Alex Cisak (Burnley) and striker Matt Smith (Leeds United) have departed.
PORT VALE
Defender Liam Chilvers and striker Lee Hughes have both committed their future to the Valiants by signing new one-year contracts with the Burslem outfit, while 24-year-old striker Ben Williamson has penned a two-year deal.
PRESTON NORTH END
Goalkeeper Declan Rudd will be returning to Deepdale after agreeing a season-long loan deal from Norwich City. The 22-year-old England Under-21 international made 14 appearances for the Lilywhites after moving on loan in January.
Meanwhile 32-year-old fellow keeper Thorsten Stuckmann and winger Will Hayhurst have both penned a new two-year deal with the club.
ROTHERHAM UNITED
Millers boss Steve Evans has signed former Aldershot Town striker Danny Hylton on a two-year contract with the option of a further 12 months. The 24-year-old scored a dozen goals in 32 games for the Shots last season but was made redundant after the Hampshire club went into administration.
A fourth summer signing then followed with the arrival of Bury winger David Worrall for an undisclosed fee. He has agreed a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
United are also reportedly close to sealing another signing with Aberdeen midfielder Rob Milsom the target.
One player to be departing the New York Stadium however is full-back Nicky Hunt after the club agreed to release him. He had a spell on loan at Accrington Stanley last season having failed to hold down a first-team place at Rotherham and has now signed for James Beattie’s outfit.
SHEFFIELD UNITED
The Blades have been reported to be in talks with Walsall striker Febian Brandy who Saddlers boss Dean Smith had been keen to re-sign.
SHREWSBURY TOWN
Central defender Dave Winfield has become the Shrews second summer arrival, joining from Wycombe Wanderers where the skipper’s contract was due to expire.
Defender Connor Goldson and winger Jon Taylor have ended any uncertainty and both signed new two-year contracts with the Shrews.
The clubs defensive options have been further boosted by the arrival of the experienced Tamika Mkandawire. The 30-year-old joins from Millwall although he had a lengthy spell on loan at Southend United last season.
Like Notts County, Town will play host to Turkish giants Galatasaray in a pre-season game, they will visit the Greenhous Meadow on July 13.
STEVENAGE
Boro have announced their pre-season fixtures which include visits to the Lamex Stadium from a QPR XI (July 16), Watford (July 20) and Leeds United (July 23).
TRANMERE ROVERS
Defenders Stephen Foster and Evan Horwood have both penned two-year deals at Prenton Park following their respective releases from Barnsley and Hartlepool United.
Also on Birkenhead both 6’ 9”goalkeeper Jason Mooney and experienced midfielder Andy Robinson have agreed a new 12-month deal with the club.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
The club have rejected an offer from Hibernian to sign Scotland international Leigh Griffiths on a permanent basis. The 22-year-old striker netted 28 times while on loan at Easter Road last season and was named PFA Scotland young player of the year.
It has been announced that Wolves trip to play Morecambe at Globe Arena in the opening round of the Capital One Cup has been chosen for live coverage by Sky Sports.
Wolves pre-season trip to Scotland will take in two games north of the border, they will play East Fife on July 10 and that will be followed three days later with a game at Livingston. The one home friendly will be against Spanish La Liga side Real Betis on July 27.