The summer transfer window will slam shut in less than two weeks and after five matches played in Sky Bet League One we’re starting to get a feel for which new signings will be the biggest successes. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the best signings in English football’s third tier, many of which online betting sites are tipping to make a real impact on their respective teams.
Harness up and running for the Tractor Boys
Marcus Harness switched Portsmouth for Ipswich Town this summer and the 26-year-old has already started to repay his estimated £600,000 transfer fee. Harness has scored three times in his first five matches for Ipswich Town and looks an excellent signing for Kieran McKenna’s promotion favourites.
The Tractor Boys also splashed out over £1 million to bring Leeds United left-back, Leif Davis, to Portman Road. A product of the famed Wallsend Boys Club, Davis has slotted into the Ipswich Town defence seamlessly, looking solid defensively and a threat in attack. Leif Davis will certainly go on to play at a higher level and may well do so with Ipswich Town.
Derby County revolution
There have been plenty of comings and goings at Derby County this summer as interim manager Leroy Rosenior hopes to guide The Rams immediately back to the Sky Bet Championship.
Derby County have not spent a penny this summer but they have made some very shrewd free transfers. Former Wales international James Chester will form arguably the most experienced central defensive partnership in the league alongside Curtis Davies. David McGoldrick and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing bring Premier League experience to Pride Park but Conor Hourihane is arguably Derby County’s most exciting acquisition. Hourihane drops down to League One after successful loan spells in the Sky Bet Championship with Swansea City and Sheffield United in the last two seasons. Hourihane brings bags of experience to Derby County and is arguably the best free transfer in the division this summer.
Standout free transfers
This summer has seen a host of experienced players drop down a division or two on a free transfer. In the summer of 2018, Alfie Mawson and Josh Murphy signed for Fulham and Cardiff City, respectively, for a combined sum of £31 million. This summer, they join Wycombe Wanderers and Oxford United for free.
Sheffield Wednesday raided Rotherham United this summer in a double swoop, bringing Michael Ihiekwe and Michael Smith to Hillsborough. Ihiekwe was named in the League One Team of the Year last season and is a particularly smart signing by The Owls.
MK Dons’ luck of the Irish?
MK Dons have raided the Irish Premier Division this summer to bring Ireland under-21 prospects Darragh Burns and Dawson Devoy to the club. The pair have big boots to fill with the recently-departed Scott Twine moving to Championship outfit, Burnley. Whilst they may take a few weeks/months to fully establish themselves at MK Dons, both Burns and Devoy could make a real impression this season.
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