Done Deals: Swans get a Brazilian, Shrews land a meaty centre-back, and Gas grab a game-changing winger – plus Gab Sutton on Max O'Leary to Bristol City
Every day from Tuesday to Saturday, NTT20.COM writes-up and rates every single signing in the Championship, League One, and League Two.
Contributors include: Ali Maxwell, George Elek, Sam Parry, Huw Davies, Riley Roberts, Matt Watts, Craig Bradley, Gab Sutton and Luke “LouOrns” McKenzie.
Bit of a relegation theme this morning. League Two relegation, to be precise. This is the stuff NTT20.COM lives for.
While we do not usually cover retirements, Newport captain James Clarke, who was still starting games as recently as New Year’s Day, has stepped away from football. It appears to have been done with one eye on freeing up space in the squad. That is one way to manage a squad.
We begin with two other ways to do it. Over to Sam Parry and Matt Watts on a couple of League Two signings that could yet shape the relegation battle...
Exhibit #1 is a classic case of an elite loanee taking their first steps in the men’s game…
🟢 Yusuf Akhamrich (LW/RW) - [Tottenham - Bristol Rovers] - Loan
Sam Parry: Yusuf Akhamrich already knows his way around the Mem. He scored against Gas for Spurs U21s earlier this season in the EFL Trophy. What do we expect of his return? Whisper it quietly. Actually, shout it. We really like this one. There may not be a player with higher upside involved in the League Two relegation battle.
A left-footed winger who can operate off either flank, Akhamrich is a good size at just over six foot, with a frame that looks ready for senior football. He carries the ball, can beat his defender going both ways, but it’s his movement that really stands out.
And it’s a double movement. He shows short, then spins in behind. Sharp, intelligent stuff, closer to what you get with elite forwards than League Two wingers. Opponents playing a high line against him are asking for trouble.
There’s risk with any first loan, but if his U21 skillset translates quickly, this feels like the sort of signing that could help Bristol Rovers accelerate away from danger. From what we’ve seen and heard, if Akhamrich doesn’t end up playing at a much higher level down the line, something will have gone wrong. The ceiling looks well above this division. Bully for Gas.
Exhibit #2 is a player who has fallen out of the pyramid, moved up through the lower leagues, then to the Welsh Premier League, and now returns to the EFL…
