Here are ‘all’ the League One transfers – in and out – for January 2021. Apologies if I have missed any, it is almost impossible to track every change due to clubs occasionally making little or no announcement. I have not included loans out because they have scant effect on how well the parent club is likely to perform over the second half of the season. Also included is an attempt to quantify how effective each club has been during the window. Caveat: I will probably be wrong.
And I wonder how many clubs will announce late signings on Tuesday? It is a match day, after all.
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Accrington Stanley: In: 4 Out: 1
In:
Midfielder: David Morgan, 26 (Southport)
Midfielder: Adam Phillips, 23 (on loan from Burnley to the end of the season)
Winger: Gary Roberts, 36 (Bala Town)
Striker: Paul Smyth, 23 (on loan from Queens Park Rangers to the end of the season)
Out:
Winger: Tom Allan, 21 (loan from Newcastle United ended)
Accrington Stanley summary: Changes have been minimal at the Wham Stadium as John Coleman seeks to maintain Stanley’s unexpected promotion push. Coleman said during the summer that he saw no reason why his side could not be contenders, while critics assumed their small budget and lack of strength in depth would tell as the season progressed. Budgetary constraints may be compounded further by the building of a new main stand at a cost of over £1m. Midfielder Adam Phillips did very well for Morecambe over the first half of this season, while Paul Smyth and Gary Roberts have played for the club before. Coleman appears to have moved for players he can trust, stating that wage demands from players and agents surprisingly remain unrealistic.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
AFC Wimbledon: In: 4 Out: 3
In:
Goalkeeper: Sam Walker, 29 (on loan from Reading to the end of the season)
Defender: Darnell Johnson, 22 (on loan from Leicester City to the end of the season)
Midfielder: George Dobson, 23 (on loan from Sunderland to the end of the season)
Striker: Corie Andrews, 23 (Kingstonian)
Out:
Goalkeeper: Connal Trueman, 24 (loan from Birmingham City ended)
Defender: Steve Seddon, 23 (loan from Birmingham City ended)
Striker: Adam Roscrow, 25 (The New Saints)
AFC Wimbledon summary: Despite sitting in the bottom four for most of January, AFC Wimbledon assistant manager Nick Daws believed they had a strong squad and a team capable of beating anyone in League One. Their parlous league position unequivocally suggested otherwise, and Daws and manager Glyn Hodges were relieved of their duties shortly afterwards. Perhaps AFCW’s financial position is the real reason behind their transfer strategy, because signings were palliative at best. Relegation is not how the club would have chosen to celebrate the opening of their new stadium, but this transfer window has done little to avert that. Whoever takes over as manager has a huge challenge ahead if their five-year stay in League One is to continue.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Status quo
Blackpool: In: 3 Out: 6
In:
Midfielder: Kevin Stewart, 27 (free agent)
Midfielder: Elliot Embleton, 21 (on loan from Sunderland to the end of the season)
Striker: Ellis Simms, 20 (on loan from Everton to the end of the season)
Out:
Defender: Calum Macdonald, 23 (loan to Tranmere Rovers made permanent)
Midfielder: Jamie Devitt, 30 (Barrow)
Midfielder: MJ Williams, 25 (Bolton Wanderers)
Midfielder: Dan Kemp, 22 (loan from West Ham United ended)
Striker: Ryan Hardie, 23 (loan to Plymouth Argyle made permanent)
Striker: Ben Woodburn, 21 (loan from Liverpool ended)
Blackpool summary: Following a poor start to the season and a reasonable recovery since, Blackpool were one of the more interesting clubs in the transfer window. Would they continue with their existing but improving squad, or take steps to attempt a promotion push? Blackpool were one of the more active League One clubs during the summer window, bringing in a number of players for substantial fees. That may have restricted their options this January with the salary cap looming, and it appeared to be a two-out-one-in strategy at Bloomfield Road. Former Hull midfielder Kevin Stewart is a good signing if he can regain match fitness, and striker Ellis Simms has scored goals at development level. Promotion this season may be beyond Blackpool, but the future looks promising.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Status quo
Bristol Rovers: In: 2 Out: 0
In:
Goalkeeper: Joe Day, 30 (on loan from Cardiff City to the end of the season)
Defender: George Williams, 27 (Milton Keynes Dons)
Out:
None.
Bristol Rovers summary: Bristol Rovers were one of seven clubs in League One with new managers heading into their first transfer window, five of which are in and around the relegation zone. Paul Tisdale inherited one of the larger squads in the division with 29 players on the books, leaving him little room to manoeuvre in the shorter term. Experienced goalkeeper Joe Day has arrived on loan from Cardiff, although Rovers have lost six of his seven games so far. George Williams from Tisdale’s former club MK Dons should improve the defence, but Rovers still look short up front – only Northampton have scored fewer goals in League One this season. A new training ground is under construction, and the club will not wish to christen it back in League Two.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive – just
Burton Albion: In: 9 Out: 7
In:
Goalkeeper: Dillon Barnes, 24 (on loan from Queens Park Rangers to the end of the season)
Defender: Josh Earl, 22 (on loan from Preston North End to the end of the season)
Defender: Tom Hamer, 21 (Oldham Athletic)
Defender: Hayden Carter, 21 (on loan from Blackburn Rovers to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Sean Clare, 24 (on loan from Oxford United to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Ryan Broom, 24 (on loan from Peterborough United to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Terry Taylor, 19 (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Winger: Jonny Smith, 23 (Bristol City)
Striker: Josh Parker, 30 (Wycombe Wanderers)
Out:
Goalkeeper: Teddy Sharman-Lowe, 17 (loan from Chelsea ended)
Defender: Sam Hughes, 23 (loan from Leicester City ended due to injury)
Midfielder: Jack Roles, 21 (loan from Tottenham Hotspur ended due to injury)
Winger: Steven Lawless, 29 (Motherwell)
Winger: Indiana Vassilev, 19 (loan from Aston Villa ended)
Striker: Charles Vernam, 24 (Bradford City)
Striker: Niall Ennis, 21 (loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers ended)
Burton Albion summary: Many Burton supporters believed that new manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink would reduce the high average age of his squad this January in a bid to change the course of an ominous season. Further to the extensive changes noted above, senior players Stephen Quinn (34) and Neal Eardley (32) have left the club on loan and will probably not play for Burton again. The loss of influential loanee Sam Hughes through injury is a setback, and all five loanees returned to their parent clubs. Hasselbaink has brought in a large number of younger players, four on a permanent basis with fees paid. Josh Parker offers experience up front while Sean Clare is a useful acquisition from Oxford. Burton have done all they could this window, but will it be enough?
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Charlton Athletic: In: 5 Out: 7
In:
Midfielder: Matt Smith, 20 (on loan from Arsenal to the end of the season)
Winger: Diallang Jaiyesimi, 22 (Swindon Town)
Winger: Liam Millar, 21 (on loan from Liverpool to the end of the season)
Striker: Ronnie Schwartz, 31 (Midtjylland – Denmark)
Striker: Jayden Stockley, 27 (on loan from Preston North End to the end of the season)
Out:
Midfielder: Jonny Williams, 27 (Cardiff City)
Midfielder: Brendan Wiredu, 21 (Colchester United)
Midfielder: George Lapslie, 23 (Mansfield Town)
Midfielder: Dylan Levitt, 20 (loan from Manchester United ended)
Winger: Alfie Doughty, 21 (Stoke City)
Striker: Omar Bogle, 27 (Doncaster Rovers)
Striker: Paul Smyth, 23 (loan from Queens Park Rangers ended)
Charlton Athletic summary: Lee Bowyer had a tough summer following relegation from the Championship, a period marked by power struggles and a transfer embargo. The January window promised to be no less challenging despite the takeover by Thomas Sandgaard in September, the main problem being the size of the squad. To compound matters, Charlton have some relatively expensive names on the books – Conor Washington, Marcus Maddison, Chris Gunter and Darren Pratley to name four – and Bowyer had little choice but to make space for new arrivals. Prodigy Alfie Doughty departed for Stoke, paving the way for the arrival of Jayden Stockley on loan. Ronnie Schwartz may become a key asset once fully fit, while Liam Millar has been brought in as the supply line for the two new strikers. Arsenal loanee Matt Smith completes a good window for Charlton.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive – five good attacking signings
Crewe Alexandra: In: 5 Out: 3
In:
Defender: Billy Jones, 33 (on loan from Rotherham United to the end of the season)
Defender: Harry Pickering, 22 (on loan from Blackburn Rovers to the end of the season)
Defender: Nathan Wood, 18 (on loan from Middlesbrough to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Antony Evans, 22 (on loan from SC Paderborn 07 – Germany – to the end of the season)
Striker: Stephen Walker, 20 (on loan from Middlesbrough to the end of the season)
Out:
Defender: Perry Ng, 24 (Cardiff City)
Defender: Harry Pickering, 22 (Blackburn Rovers)
Striker: Offrande Zanzala, 24 (contract cancelled by mutual consent)
Crewe Alexandra summary: Following a strong start to their first season back in the third tier, Crewe would have been hoping to keep their squad intact this window. Prized asset Perry Ng was out of contract this June and was sold to Cardiff for an undisclosed fee. Manager David Artell also rejected an unacceptable offer from Blackburn for full-back Harry Pickering before selling on deadline day, but Pickering will return on loan for the rest of the season. Antony Evans on loan from Paderborn is an interesting signing, although he has next to no record in English football. Crewe will certainly have banked some sizeable fees, although replacing their two standout players represents a challenge in the long term. Artell is not fazed and suggests he will have to find better – good luck with that one.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Negative – Ng is a big loss now and Pickering in the summer
Doncaster Rovers: In: 5 Out: 1
In:
Goalkeeper: Ellery Balcombe, 21 (on loan from Brentford to the end of the season)
Midfielder: John Bostock, 29 (free agent)
Midfielder: Scott Robertson, 19 (on loan from Glasgow Celtic to the end of the season)
Winger: Elliot Simoes, 21 (on loan from Barnsley to the end of the season)
Striker: Omar Bogle, 27 (Charlton Athletic)
Out:
Midfielder: Ben Whiteman, 24 (Preston North End)
Doncaster Rovers summary: Perhaps the most significant loss in League One this January was that of Doncaster captain Ben Whiteman to Preston. Besides being the best central midfielder in the third tier, Whiteman was the focal point of the Rovers team and will be hard to replace. The signing of former Premier Leaguer John Bostock after years of anonymity in France and Belgium is an odd one at first glance; Bostock spent the whole of the 2019-20 season on loan to Nottingham Forest from Toulouse and managed only one start. Former Grimsby striker Omar Bogle joins after a nomadic four seasons with six clubs, and both players will feel they have something to prove. Ellery Balcombe has already proved his worth with two match-winning penalty saves against Lincoln.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive – if new strike options balance the loss of Whiteman
Fleetwood Town: In: 3 Out: 4
In:
Defender: Janoi Donacien, 27 (on loan from Ipswich Town to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Dan Batty, 23 (Hull City)
Striker: Kyle Vassell, 27 (on loan from Rotherham United to the end of the season)
Out:
Goalkeeper: Jayson Leutwiler, 31 (Huddersfield Town)
Defender: Sam Stubbs, 22 (Exeter City)
Defender: Tom Edwards, 21 (loan from Stoke City ended)
Defender: Morgan Boyes, 19 (loan from Liverpool ended)
Fleetwood Town summary: It may be that Fleetwood’s most significant piece of business this January was the departure of Joey Barton, although it remains to be seen whether new manager Simon Grayson can reignite their promotion bid. Grayson has four promotions from League One on his record, although repeating that this season will take a miracle. Further to the permanent transfers shown, Fleetwood lost Ched Evans on loan to Preston and former Sheffield United star Paul Coutts on loan to Salford. The number and nature of those departures may be due in part to the need to trim the squad in time for the salary cap. Incomings have been far less impressive than in previous windows, the squad being completed by returning loans and players promoted from the U23s.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Negative – because of the loan departures and the loss of Barton
Gillingham: In: 6 Out: 6
In:
Goalkeeper: Sacha Bastien, 26 (free agent)
Defender: Robbie Cundy, 23 (on loan from Bristol City to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Olly Lee, 29 (on loan from Heart of Midlothian to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Tyreke Johnson, 22 (Southampton)
Midfielder: Callum Slattery, 21 (on loan from Southampton to the end of the season)
Midfielder: James Morton, 21 (on loan from Bristol City to the end of the season)
Out:
Goalkeeper: Joe Walsh, 18 (Queens Park Rangers)
Defender: Declan Drysdale, 21 (loan from Coventry City ended)
Defender: Zech Medley, 20 (loan from Arsenal ended)
Midfielder: Jacob Mellis, 30 (Southend United)
Midfielder: Josh Eccles, 20 (loan from Coventry City ended)
Midfielder: Scott Robertson, 19 (loan from Glasgow Celtic ended)
Gillingham summary: The loss of three significant loanees early in the window did nothing to help Gillingham’s erratic form through much of the winter so far. All three were regular starters, leaving Steve Evans to find replacements on what he dubiously claims to be the smallest budget in League One. Young goalkeeper Joe Walsh left for QPR in late January, giving the club some financial headroom late in the window. Olly Lee has returned from Hearts for a second loan spell, while Tyreke Johnson comes with a good record in development football. The other arrivals appear more experienced than the departures, and four new midfielders should help the Gills to build some consistency and secure a mid-table position.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Hull City: In: 4 Out: 2
In:
Defender: Max Clark, 25 (Vitesse Arnhem – Netherlands)
Midfielder: Jordan Flores, 25 (Dundalk)
Midfielder: Daniel Crowley, 23 (on loan from Birmingham City to the end of the season)
Winger: Gavin Whyte, 24 (on loan from Cardiff City to the end of the season)
Out:
Midfielder: Dan Batty, 23 (Fleetwood Town)
Winger: Hakeeb Adelakun, 24 (loan from Bristol City ended)
Hull City summary: Considering their dramatic decline and relegation last season, Hull manager Grant McCann has done a fine job in reversing such negative momentum. Hull made one of the signings of the window in Gavin Whyte, sold by Oxford to Cardiff for £2m eighteen months ago, and Dan Crowley is another significant loan capture from Birmingham. Jordan Flores appeared for Dundalk in their Europa League ties with Arsenal a few months ago, although regular football in League One may be a big step up for him. Max Clark returns to his hometown club to complete a very good window for Hull. Meeting the salary cap will be a big challenge after relegation, but they may be gambling on promotion before making changes that later prove unnecessary.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Ipswich Town: In: 4 Out: 0
In:
Defender: Luke Matheson, 18 (on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Josh Harrop, 25 (on loan from Preston North End to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Luke Thomas, 21 (on loan from Barnsley to the end of the season)
Striker: Troy Parrott, 18 (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur to the end of the season)
Out:
None
Ipswich Town summary: Ipswich signed just one player during the 2020 January window, and possibly paid the price as they slipped down the table into mid-table obscurity. This January has been slightly busier, although Paul Lambert hinted at an exhausted budget for the lack of significant movement. Lambert’s side slipped from the top to finish ninth last season, and have already slipped from the top to eleventh this time around. Owner Marcus Evans refuses to risk his club financially, although Ipswich are now almost as close to the relegation places as they are to the top. Under-fire Lambert has spent several weeks away from the club with Covid, and time will tell whether he is able to revive his side’s flagging promotion challenge with four loans from higher divisions.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive – due to the increase in numbers
Lincoln City: In: 4 Out: 4
In:
Defender: Cohen Bramall, 24 (Colchester United)
Defender: Regan Poole, 22 (Milton Keynes Dons)
Midfielder: Max Sanders, 22 (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Striker: Morgan Rogers, 18 (on loan from Manchester City to the end of the season)
Out:
Defender: Aaron Lewis, 22 (contract cancelled by mutual consent)
Defender: Alex Bradley, 21 (loan to Yeovil Town made permanent)
Midfielder: Robbie Gotts, 21 (loan from Leeds United ended)
Striker: Jamie Soule, 20 (loan from West Bromwich Albion ended)
Lincoln City summary: Lincoln director of football Jez George suggested Lincoln may bring forward some of their summer transfer business to this January, as in the case with Regan Poole. Their unexpected position at the top of League One raises serious questions over which division they will be in next season, making squad building more problematic than usual. Four fringe players left the club, three of whom failed to make a league start this season. Their replacements look a notch higher, although it has been a relatively quiet window for the Imps compared with recent years. £4million teenager Morgan Rogers could prove one of the best loan signings in League One this window, while perhaps the best piece of business was extending the contract of influential midfielder Jorge Grant.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive – the departures are no loss
Milton Keynes Dons: In: 6 Out: 6
In:
Defender: Zak Jules, 23 (Walsall)
Defender: Harry Darling, 21 (Cambridge United)
Defender: Ethan Laird, 19 (on loan from Manchester United to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Matt O’Riley, 20 (free agent)
Striker: Will Grigg, 29 (on loan from Sunderland to the end of the season)
Striker: Charlie Brown, 21 (Chelsea)
Out:
Defender: Richard Keogh, 34 (Huddersfield Town)
Defender: George Williams, 27 (Bristol Rovers)
Defender: Baily Cargill, 25 (Forest Green Rovers)
Defender: Regan Poole, 22 (Lincoln City)
Striker: Carlton Morris, 25 (loan from Norwich City ended)
Striker: Stephen Walker, 20 (loan from Middlesbrough ended)
Milton Keynes Dons summary: MK Dons witnessed a high turnover of players during the summer 2020 window, with thirteen players moving on. Some of those were not through choice, and Russell Martin would have been hoping to avoid a repeat this January. However, Richard Keogh, Baily Cargill, George Williams and Regan Poole chose to leave for pastures new mid-contract, leaving Martin to rebuild his squad again. The most notable change is the loss of experienced players, replaced by a batch of promising youngsters. Of those, Harry Darling and Zak Jules have shown good form in League Two, but the rest have very few games in senior football between them. Martin believes MK have had a good transfer window, and what remains of the season will be interesting.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Status quo
Northampton Town: In: 5 Out: 7
In:
Defender: Lloyd Jones, 25 (Luton Town)
Defender: Peter Kioso, 21 (on loan from Luton Town to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Bryn Morris, 24 (on loan from Portsmouth to the end of the season)
Striker: Mickel Miller, 25 (on loan from Rotherham United to the end of the season)
Striker: Ryan Edmondson, 19 (on loan from Leeds United to the end of the season)
Out:
Defender: Joe Martin, 32 (Stevenage)
Defender: Luka Racic, 21 (loan from Brentford ended)
Defender: Jacob Ballinger, 19 (released at end of contract)
Midfielder: Chris Lines, 35 (Stevenage)
Midfielder: Christopher Missilou, 28 (Swindon Town)
Winger: Nicky Adams, 34 (Oldham Athletic)
Winger: Ricky Holmes, 33 (released at end of contract)
Northampton Town summary: Manager Keith Curle appears to have accepted that his direct style will not succeed in League One and has taken steps to change to a younger, more energetic ethos. A number of over-30s have been replaced by a batch of U25s, offering more pace and athleticism than their predecessors. Old stagers Chris Lines, Nicky Adams, Ricky Holmes and Joe Martin (35, 34, 33, 32) have all gone, leaving only half a dozen members of the promotion-winning side still at Sixfields. As for their replacements, Mickel Miller will score goals if he can stay fit, while Peter Kioso and Bryn Morris are good additions on loan. The face of the squad has changed significantly since promotion last summer, and Northampton appear to have given themselves a fighting chance of staying up.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Oxford United: In: 4 Out: 1
In:
Defender: Luke McNally, 21 (St Patrick’s Athletic – Republic of Ireland)
Defender: Joe Grayson, 21 (on loan from Blackburn Rovers to the end of the season)
Winger: Brandon Barker, 24 (on loan from Glasgow Rangers to the end of the season)
Striker: Elliot Lee, 26 (on loan from Luton Town to the end of the season)
Out:
Defender: Jordan Obita, 27 (Wycombe Wanderers)
Oxford United summary: January was uncharacteristically quiet off the field at the Kassam Stadium until deadline day, while the team put together a great winning run. Oxford’s poor start to the season might have generated a busier transfer window in different times, but a creaking balance sheet and the looming salary cap may have been the decisive factors. Having said that, the three-and-a-half-year deal given to Luke McNally is a show of commitment in the current financial environment, and might have been the decisive factor in securing his signature ahead of a number of lower-division clubs. Elliot Lee and Brandon Barker are two useful deadline day additions, but Oxford have a lot to do if they are to threaten the two automatic promotion spots this year.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Peterborough United: In: 0 Out: 0
In:
None
Out:
None
Peterborough United summary: It is no secret that Peterborough opposed both the points-per-game calculation used to end the 2019-20 season and the imposition of a salary cap. Already in possession of one of the larger and more expensive squads in League One, it was not surprising that transfer activity was negligible in January. No permanent changes have been made, with a few loans out reducing the wage bill. Manager Darren Ferguson feels he has enough to win promotion without reinforcements, declining the chairman’s offer of two new players. So Peterborough exit the window as the only League One club not to make any changes at all, and Darragh MacAnthony reveals that is a record under his regime. So will the vengeance tour prove successful or not?
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Status quo
Plymouth Argyle: In: 4 Out: 2
In:
Defender: Sam Woods, 22 (on loan from Crystal Palace to the end of the season)
Defender: Adam Lewis, 21 (on loan from Liverpool to the end of the season)
Striker: Ryan Hardie, 23 (loan from Blackpool made permanent)
Striker: Niall Ennis, 21 (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Out:
Defender: Niall Canavan, 29 (Bradford City)
Striker: Dom Telford, 24 (Newport County)
Plymouth Argyle summary: Plymouth were yet another club to oppose the salary cap, which comes as no surprise considering the £20m injected into the club in three years by owner Simon Hallett. Changes therefore have not been extensive as Ryan Lowe seeks to keep his promoted side in League One with what he already has. Lowe has taken steps to fix his leaky defence, with two defenders arriving on loan from Premier League 2; those two defenders and one striker have replaced one defender and one striker; and unusually, there was one Niall in and one Niall out as Ennis swapped places with Canavan. Frank Nouble and Scott Wootton have gone out on loan to reduce the wage bill, and that is basically that at Home Park.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Status quo
Portsmouth: In: 4 Out: 1
In:
Goalkeeper: Lewis Ward, 23 (on loan from Exeter City to the end of the season)
Defender: Charlie Daniels, 34 (Shrewsbury Town)
Midfielder: George Byers, 24 (on loan from Swansea City to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Harvey White, 19 (on loan from Tottenham Hotspur to the end of the season)
Out:
Defender: Cameron Pring, 22 (loan from Bristol City ended)
Portsmouth summary: Portsmouth are another League One club facing salary cap challenges, while CEO Mark Catlin estimates the club’s Covid losses at £700,000 per month since March 2020. So with an anticipated deficit of around £8.5 million for the last twelve months on the horizon, it was perhaps surprising to see four players arrive to replace one loan departure. Midfielder George Byers has been a regular for Swansea in the Championship for the past two seasons and looks the pick of the loan signings. Harvey White appeared in Tottenham’s FA Cup win at non-league Marine a month ago, while the experienced Charlie Daniels will add cover at the back.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Rochdale: In: 4 Out: 2
In:
Defender: Gabriel Osho, 22 (on loan from Luton Town to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Conor Shaughnessy, 24 (Leeds United)
Midfielder: Conor Grant, 19 (Sheffield Wednesday)
Striker: Jack Vale, 19 (on loan from Blackburn Rovers to the end of the season)
Out:
Defender: Tolaji Bola, 22 (loan from Arsenal ended)
Striker: Fabio Tavares, 20 (Coventry City)
Rochdale summary: Rochdale CEO David Bottomley has made no secret of the club’s dire financial position, so it came as no surprise when transfer activity was initially minimal. The main change is the addition of two midfielders from higher divisions in Leeds United’s versatile Conor Shaughnessy and Sheffield Wednesday’s promising Conor Grant on permanent contracts. Teenager Kwadwo Baah is believed to be joining Manchester City in the summer, a move yet to be confirmed by the club. Rochdale must hope that their penchant for scoring goals will outweigh the equally substantial goals conceded column during the run-in. Dale are one of several clubs at the foot of League One fighting for survival on two fronts, and relegation to League Two may not be the worst outcome.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Shrewsbury Town: In: 5 Out: 9
In:
Defender: Matthew Pennington, 26 (on loan from Everton to the end of the season)
Defender: Nathanael Ogbeta, 19 (Manchester City)
Midfielder: David Davis, 29 (Birmingham City)
Midfielder: Harry Chapman, 23 (on loan from Blackburn Rovers to the end of the season)
Striker: Curtis Main, 28 (Aberdeen)
Out:
Goalkeeper: Deyan Iliev, 25 (loan from Arsenal ended)
Defender: Charlie Daniels, 34 (Portsmouth)
Defender: Matt Millar, 24 (loan from Newcastle Jets ended)
Defender: Marlon Fossey, 22 (loan from Fulham ended)
Midfielder: Jan Žambůrek, 19 (loan from Brentford ended)
Midfielder: Scott High, 19 (loan from Huddersfield Town ended)
Winger: Marc Pugh, 33 (released at end of contract)
Winger: Shilow Tracey, 22 (loan from Tottenham Hotspur ended)
Striker: Jason Cummings, 25 (Dundee)
Shrewsbury Town summary: It was always likely to be a busy transfer window for Shrewsbury, given their lowly league position and new manager. Activity was made all the more challenging with boss Steve Cotterill spending two weeks in hospital with Covid. Scoring goals has been the real problem in recent seasons, yet that appears not to have changed a great deal during this window. Focus has been placed on defensive aspects rather than offensive, which is strange considering Shrewsbury’s improved form under Cotterill. Experienced midfielder David Davis from Birmingham looks the pick of the signings, and Harry Chapman scored a brace on his debut. Shrewsbury should not have any problems staying up, although it is still difficult to see who is going to score the goals.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Status quo – despite the high number of departures
Sunderland: In: 4 Out: 2
In:
Defender: Jake Vokins, 19 (on loan from Southampton to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Carl Winchester, 27 (Forest Green Rovers)
Winger: Jordan Jones, 26 (on loan from Glasgow Rangers to the end of the season)
Striker: Ross Stewart, 24 (Ross County)
Out:
Defender: Morgan Feeney, 21 (Carlisle United)
Striker: Danny Graham, 35 (contract cancelled by mutual consent)
Sunderland summary: Perhaps the most significant aspect of the 2020-21 season for Sunderland is the advent of the salary cap, to which they were very much opposed. January activity was minimal, and Sunderland fans were probably not impressed to see Forest Green’s captain and Ross County’s centre forward arrive as the only permanent signings. Winger Jordan Jones has been given few opportunities at Rangers and may fancy a permanent move if his loan goes well. New manager Lee Johnson will have his own ideas about what he wants his squad to be, but that will be in abeyance until Sunderland know which division they are in next season. New ownership should steady the financial ship, although that salary cap will be a salary straitjacket if Sunderland are not promoted.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Positive
Swindon Town: In: 6 Out: 7
In:
Goalkeeper: Mark Travers, 21 (on loan from AFC Bournemouth to the end of the season)
Defender: Kieron Freeman, 28 (free agent)
Defender: Conor Masterson, 22 (on loan from Queens Park Rangers to the end of the season)
Defender: Dominic Thompson, 20 (on loan from Brentford to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Christopher Missilou, 28 (Northampton Town)
Striker: Tyrese Omotoye, 18 (on loan from Norwich City to the end of the season)
Out:
Goalkeeper: Joe Fryer, 25 (released at end of contract)
Goalkeeper: Matej Kovar, 20 (loan from Manchester United ended)
Midfielder: Matt Smith, 20 (loan from Arsenal ended)
Midfielder: Toby Holland, 19 (released at end of contract)
Winger: Jonny Smith, 23 (loan from Bristol City ended)
Winger: Diallang Jaiyesimi, 22 (Charlton Athletic)
Winger: Jordan Stevens, 20 (loan from Leeds United ended)
Swindon Town summary: This season was always likely to be a challenge for Swindon, especially having lost their entire forward line during the summer. The departure of Richie Wellens to Salford in November left the club facing a survival bid, and new manager John Sheridan has to prevent what would be a fourth relegation to League Two in fifteen years. Star signing could be Kieron Freeman, surprisingly a free agent after leaving Sheffield United in June, and Tyrese Omotoye already has a hat-trick in the EFL Trophy for Norwich U21. On the negative side, Matt Smith and Diallang Jaiyesimi are big losses. Sheridan has signed three defenders and a midfielder to replace three wingers and two midfielders, suggesting Swindon may not be planning to attack their way out of trouble.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: Negative
Wigan Athletic: In: 7 Out: 12
In:
Defender: Tendayi Darikwa, 29 (Nottingham Forest)
Defender: Scott Wootton, 29 (on loan from Plymouth Argyle to the end of the season)
Defender: Corey Whelan, 23 (Phoenix Rising – USA)
Defender: George Johnston, 22 (on loan from Feyenoord – Holland – to the end of the season)
Midfielder: Funso Ojo, 29 (on loan from Aberdeen to the end of the season)
Striker: Jamie Proctor, 28 (on loan from Rotherham United to the end of the season)
Striker: Zach Clough, 25 (Nottingham Forest)
Out:
Defender: Nathan Cameron, 29 (Solihull Moors)
Defender: Tom James, 24 (loan from Hibernian ended)
Defender: Darnell Johnson, 22 (loan from Leicester City ended)
Defender: Patrick Webber, 21 (contract cancelled by mutual consent)
Defender: Emeka Obi, 19 (contract cancelled by mutual consent)
Midfielder: Kal Naismith, 28 (Luton Town)
Midfielder: Matty Palmer, 25 (loan from Swindon Town ended)
Striker: Joe Garner, 32 (APOEL Nicosia – Cyprus)
Striker: Olly Crankshaw, 22 (Bradford City)
Striker: Joe Piggott, 21 (Altrincham)
Striker: Charlie Jolley, 20 (Tranmere Rovers)
Striker: Divin Baningime, 20 (contract cancelled by mutual consent)
Wigan Athletic summary: It was revolving door time again at the DW Stadium this winter as a host of players departed for pastures new. The ownership saga and a sizeable debt impose obvious financial restrictions, while a soft transfer embargo limits the squad to 23 players including U21s. Players have to leave before others can arrive, leading to an astonishing 32 departures since July (12 during this window alone). In practice, this forces the administrators to release young players to make way for experience. Defender Tendayi Darikwa and striker Zach Clough from Nottingham Forest are interesting acquisitions, although neither player has played first team football for any side in almost two years. Whether the latest squad changes have a positive impact remains to be seen: it often takes time for such a turnover to bed in, and time is something Wigan do not have.
Positive/Status Quo/Negative: I haven’t the faintest idea
Writer: Scotimp
League One Transfers – January 2021:https://t.co/7uWxWfjRQY#HCAFC #ITFC #SAFC pic.twitter.com/ABl81LTIJG
— Vital Lincoln City (@VitalLincoln) February 2, 2021
