Harrogate Town have made an outstanding start to their recruitment with the signing of Stephen Duke-McKenna from Queens Park Rangers, but what comes next for the Sulphurites in the summer transfer window?
Harrogate Town, led by Simon Weaver, finished 11th in the 2023-24 EFL League Two season, one of the Sulphurites’ finest results in club history.
However, they have already lost two crucial players: defender Rod Mcdonald, who has joined Notts County, and offensive prodigy Abraham Odoh, who has moved up a tier to join Peterborough Un
When I look at Harrogate Town’s current squad for the 2024-25 season, I notice a lack of depth in some positions.
In my perspective, they require a comfortable, ball-playing center back, a fullback on each side, a free-flowing and fluent offensive midfielder, and at least one direct and dangerous winger more than other positions.
So, without further ado, here are five players who might join Harrogate Town and help the club have another successful season in League Two.
Matt Penney (Free Agent, LB/LWB) – Permanent Deal
Harrogate Town need a left back to compete with Matty Foulds as Joe Mattock’s contract expires. They need an experienced manager with higher-level experience who can aid the club.
Matt Penney, a free agent and former Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday left-back, stands out to me as someone with higher-level experience.
At 26 years old, he offers the Sulphurites two seasoned choices and ideal competition for positions.
He has played over 100 games in total, and even though his last term in League Two in 2017-18 ended with only two outings out on loan at Mansfield Town, his overall record is quite strong. ited.
At this point in his career, dropping down to League Two may be the best option. His experience, combined with his drive down the channels with energy and pace, his physical attributes, and his comfortable technique on the ball, propels him to the top of the free agent rankings.
The simplest way to define him is as an attacking fullback who can also play wingback.
Even if the team could only agree to a one-year or 18-month contract, it would be a fantastic bargain for everyone concerned.
TJ Eyoma (Lincoln City – CB/RB) – Permanent Deal
The club needs a ball-playing central defender, who’s comfortable on the ball, builds it out from the back and can drive the ball forward well. They also may need some versatility so they can cover different positions.
One particular player released from League One Lincoln City fits the bill for me and that’s TJ Eyoma.
The former Spurs youth player is now officially a free agent and he’d fit perfectly.
He’s adaptable as a right back and has a history of being deployed in various systems, such as an out-and-out full-back in a back four or on the right of a back three system.
With over 100 appearances in League One under their belt, he showcases tons of experience from the next level and despite his injury record, his ability to demonstrate comfortability on the ball, his ability to drive the ball forward and his physicality in duels make him a top defender for League Two. In addition, during the 113 appearances he has made in senior football overall, he’s scored five goals, so has the ability to produce scoring opportunities for himself also.
Sam Curtis (Sheffield United – RB/CB) – Loan Deal
In the case that the club needs an extra fullback on the right hand side, they may need to dip into the uncharted waters known as the loan market, which could produce some amamazing gems or some risky gambles that don’t pay off and could hinder potential players’ development.
In the right fullback role, the Blades have a young exceptional talent, who demonstrates real tenacity, comfortability in and out of possession and an effective utilisation of exceptional pace out from the back.
Irish youth phenom Sam Curtis is an extraordinary prospect that might prosper in the Sulphurites squad, receiving more senior football minutes, similar to his stint with St Patrick’s Athletic in the Irish Premier League.
His statistics from the 2023 League of Ireland season show that he dominated progressive runs, averaging 1.48 per 90, and dribbles, averaging 2.76 per 90, with a success percentage of 59.6%.
Despite his inexperience, the way he duels defensively provides the club with a potentially extremely interesting defender who is very mobile, has a terrific defensive leap, and tackles with ferocity.
He is an amazing possible loan deal for Harrogate Town, and he offers the team everything they need in the perfect fullback.
Dajaune Brown (Derby County – CAM/CF/ST) – Loan deal.
They need an attacking midfielder, and I believe there is one guy available who can play as both an attacking midfielder and a centre forward: Gateshead’s standout loanee from last season, Dajaune Brown!
He’s a mobile attacking player with athleticism and a comprehensive offensive profile.
His speed, drive down the channels and into the center, ease and fluidity in attacking areas, and ability to glide through and around people make him a fascinating prospect to watch.
He scored 10 goals and assisted a further 8 goals since joining National League Gateshead on loan in January 2024 and has proven to be an exciting talent for the future.
Even though he’s usually positioned as a centre forward, I firmly believe that he has the opportunity and ability to be adaptable as an attacking midfielder.
His ability to not only score goals but also be involved in creating chances, adds to his other traits that make him a top candidate to be adaptable in that position and that also makes him a top loan option for Harrogate Town.
D’Margio Wright-Phillips (Stoke City – LW/RW) – Permanent Deal
When the club are looking for a winger, they need someone who’s adaptable either side and someone who matches that adaptability and the comfortability to work on either side is Stoke City’s released talent D’Margio Wright-Phillips.
In his Championship debut against Hull City in 2022, he won six duels, three fouls, two shots, and seven dribbles.
He prioritizes power and pace on the channels, and he also shows off remarkable athleticism.
He is also a long-term option for the club, and at the age of 22, he still has lots of time to progress and grow, and a permanent deal farther down the senior pyramid makes this an even better move for his future.
He provides energy and mobility down the right side, something they require following Abraham Odoh’s departure to Peterborough United.
His ability to create opportunities in the last third makes him the ideal replacement.
I believe Odoh should be one of Harrogate Town’s top permanent alternatives in that position.
Leave a Reply