Port Vale have announced the signing of Luton’s Ethon Archer on loan – their first addition of the January 2026 transfer window and manager Jon Brady’s first signing for the club.
Archer is a winger who is seen as being able to play anywhere across the front line. He was signed by Luton in September and loaned back to Cheltenham for the first-half of the season. He has made twenty appearances, scoring three goals this season.
Ethon Archer Factfile
Age: 23
Clubs: Three Bridges, Torquay Utd, Cheltenham Town, Luton Town
Loans: Cheltenham Town
Games: 118
Goals: 15
A club statement said:
We are delighted to confirm that Ethon Archer has joined the club from Luton Town, on a loan deal until the end of the 2025/26 season.
The 23-year-old winger becomes Jon Brady’s first addition of the January window, having spent the first half of the campaign on loan at his former club Cheltenham Town.
Archer enjoyed a rapid rise through the non-League system before joining the Robins in July 2024, going on to register 14 goal involvements in their 2024/25 Sky Bet League Two season. He then signed for fellow League One side Luton last summer.
Manager Jon Brady commented:
We’re delighted to welcome Ethon into the group for the second half of the season. He’s an exciting young player who fits the profile of what we’re looking for here at Vale Park, and someone who we’re confident can make an impact for us. We’re all looking forward to working with him.
Port Vale January Transfer Business
Outs
- Mo Faal’s Port Vale loan spell ends
- Port Vale confirm that Marvin Johnson has left the club
- Ronan Curtis departs Port Vale to join Plymouth Argyle
- James Plant is latest player to depart Port Vale
- Jesse Debrah departs Port Vale on loan
- Devante Cole is the latest player to depart Port Vale
- Port Vale confirm Mitch Clark loan departure
- Ruari Paton departs Port Vale on loan
Ins
- Transfer news: Port Vale sign Luton Town winger on loan
- James Plant returns to Port Vale after loan spell
- Port Vale recall youngster Jack Shorrock from loan spell
- Port Vale sign former Blackburn Rovers and Northampton Town defender
- Port Vale sign young Everton defender on loan
- Port Vale sign Dutch striker on loan
- Port Vale sign experienced striker Andre Gray
- Port Vale add experienced free agent midfielder to their squad
- Port Vale add Cuba International winger to squad
Strange one ! I was hoping for more experienced proven players coming in. We do have to many squad players not good enough for this level as it is, but you can’t judge him until you see him . It could be a worrying sign that the club has accepted its fate and has started to tightening its belt .
Seems to me the leaders have accepted a lower division, WE DO NEED EXPERIENCED PLAYERS NOW, and a captain with some bottle
Really strange one?… the team leaks goals and needs experienced stronge defenders to stand any chance of surviving!.. we have an abundance of players who could play that particular role so can only assume some must be leaving?…and it clearly shows that we are building for life in league 2. Disappointing
@Barry
I agree on the need for defensive strengthening.
However, I don’t think you can add players in order of priority but rather when they come available. So, it could well be that defenders are the higher priority but they’ve gone for this guy now because he’s available.
I think you leave it to assess the squad at the end of the window – but I do agree we need strengthening in defence.
Thanks for that Rob, we will ‘speak’ again at the end of the window..fingers well and truly crossed!!
Drawing 0-0 every week will not keep you up. They need goals !