League One transfer latest as Huddersfield Town rivals make their first move

League One clubs have continued to add to their squads over the past week ahead of the upcoming campaign. The transfer window has officially opened as of today, although plenty of business has already been completed and announced by sides in the division.

Huddersfield Town are yet to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season, although they announced earlier this week that captain Jonathan Hogg has penned a new one-year contract to remain with the Terriers.

However, with Town’s League One rivals having confirmed new signings over the past week, we’ve taken a look at the clubs that have recently completed deals.

Barnsley

Conor Hourihane – Derby County (free)

The Tykes announced Hourihane’s return as their first signing of the close season, with the midfielder rejoining the club as a player-coach on a multi-year deal following his release from Derby County.

The 33-year-old previously spent three years at Oakwell between 2014 and 2017, following his move from Plymouth Argyle. He went on to join Aston Villa, where he spent five years before signing for the Rams.

Hourihane has re-signed for the Tykes after winning promotion with Paul Warne’s side last term. The midfielder is set to spend two seasons as a player at Oakwell before assuming full-time coaching responsibilities.

Burton Albion

Elliot Watt – Salford City (free)

The Brewers have revealed that they have agreed terms with Watt to become their first signing of the off season.

Watt has opted to join the club following a two-year spell with the Ammies, where he made 86 appearances in all competitions, with the midfielder named in the League Two Team of the Season in the 2022/23 campaign.

The 24-year-old previously spent two years with Bradford City and featured 96 times for the Bantams. The midfielder began his senior career with Wolves, while he also had a loan spell with Carlisle United during the 2019/20 season.

Cambridge United

Kelland Watts – Newcastle United (free)

The U’s have confirmed that Watts has joined the club on a two-year deal, with the centre-back becoming their first summer signing.

The 24-year-old made one Premier League appearance for the Magpies against Liverpool in 2020, and has spent time out on loan with Stevenage, Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United.

Watts’ move to the U’s is the first permanent move of his career, with the defender’s 16-year association with Newcastle having now come to an end.

Charlton Athletic

Will Mannion – Cambridge United (free)

Mannion became the Addicks’ first recruit of the off season, with the goalkeeper joining from their divisional rivals on a three-year deal, with a club option to extend for a further year.

The 26-year-old, who lists AFC Wimbledon and Hull City among his former clubs, made 41 appearances in a three-year spell with the U’s.

Mannion was offered a new deal by United at the end of the season, but the stopper opted instead to sign for the Addicks, where he became Nathan Jones’ first signing since the manager took charge in February.

Shrewsbury Town

George Lloyd – Cheltenham Town (free)

Toto Nsiala – Burton Albion (free)

Harrison Biggins – Doncaster Rovers (free)

The Shrews got their transfer business up and running this week with three new additions, with Lloyd, Nsiala and Biggins all joining the club.

Lloyd has penned a two-year deal with Salop after opting to leave Cheltenham Town following the Robins’ relegation from League One. The forward came through the club’s academy to make 136 appearances for the Robins, and played under Michael Duff during his four years in charge.

Nsiala has rejoined the Shrews on a two-year deal following his departure from the Brewers. The 32-year-old, who lists Grimsby Town, Ipswich Town and Fleetwood Town among his former clubs, spent 18 months with Salop before joining the Tractor Boys in 2018.

Biggins has also penned a two-year deal with the League One outfit, with the midfielder turning down the offer of a new contract at Doncaster Rovers to join Salop. The 28-year-old featured 84 times for Rovers during a two-year stint, having previously made a century of appearances for Fleetwood Town across a five-year spell with the Cods.

Stevenage

Dan Kemp – MK Dons (free)

Kemp is Stevenage’s second signing of the close season, with the midfielder joining Louis Appere in penning a move to the club.

The 25-year-old was on loan with Swindon Town for the first part of last season, and netted 16 goals in 27 games in all competitions to win the club’s player of the season award, despite being recalled by MK Dons in January.

Kemp, formerly of West Ham United and Leyton Orient, went on to score three goals in 21 games for MK Dons in the second half of the season before being released by the League Two outfit at the end of the campaign.

Wigan Athletic

Calvin Ramsay – Liverpool (loan)

The Latics have completed their second addition with the loan signing of Ramsay from Liverpool, having also previously brought in Michael Olakigbe on loan from Brentford.

Ramsay has joined on a season-long loan, having had two spells away from Anfield last season at Preston North End and Bolton Wanderers, with the defender making just six appearances in all competitions last term. The 20-year-old joined Liverpool from hometown club Aberdeen in 2022.