Despite a number of sides participating in the end of season play-offs in the National League, a few fifth tier sides have started building towards next season.
One of those sides is Sutton United who are looking to challenge for promotion back to the EFL during the 2025-26 season. The U’s confirmed the departures of a number of senior players following the conclusion of their 2024-25 season earlier in the month.
Steve Morison has added to his squad within the last week with Slough Town defender, Edon Pruti, signing for an undisclosed fee. In order to compete for a play-off place next season, the South London side will most likely have to add a few more additions before the season kicks off.
This article will take a look at five players who Sutton United could sign this summer ahead of the 2025-26 National League season.
Archie Tamplin – Chelmsford City
One area of the pitch where Morison’s side might look to strengthen is in central midfield. A gap has appeared in this area with Sutton’s young player and player’s player of the season, Finley Barbrook, returning to Ipswich Town following the conclusion of his loan spell.
The U’s could look to Chelmsford City and Archie Tamplin to replace the position left by Barbrook. The 22 year old played 39 games for the Essex side this season and contributed with six goal involvements (two goals and four assists).
The young midfielder joined the National League South side at the beginning of the season from Lewes and made a spot in The Clarets’ midfield his own. He would provide versatility to Sutton’s squad with the ability to play in his preferred central midfield role but also in a full-back position and out wide.
Tamplin has provided energy to the Chelmsford midfield this season with a good passing range and dribbling ability. According to SofaScore, the 22 year old has a 69.6% passing accuracy and completed 1.24 successful dribbles per appearance in the National League South.
A move to the National League and Sutton United would be the first taste of the fifth tier during Tamplin’s career but would follow the South London club’s recruitment strategy of signing young talented players from the leagues below. It took some time for Barbrook to settle in the National League before impressing and the same could occur for Archie Tamplin should he make the move to Sutton.
Brennan Camp – Dorking Wanderers
Another position that Sutton are in need of strengthening this summer is in the right-back area. The U’s may delve into the National League South again and look at Dorking Wanderers’ Brennan Camp.
The 24 year old made 29 appearances for the Wanderers this season and was named as the club’s young player of the season. His age matches the recruitment strategy from Morison’s side and he comes with experience of National League football having played in the league during spells with Eastleigh and Weymouth.
Following the departures of Ryan Jackson and Besart Topalloj, the position that Camp takes up is one that Sutton are in need of recruiting this summer. As with Tamplin, the Dorking defender could provide versatility to the U’s defence given his ability to play at right-back but also in a central defensive position.
According to SofaScore, Camp provides aerial dominance in defence having won an average of 4.61 aerial duels per appearance and an ability to disrupt opposition attacks with 1.25 interceptions per appearance on average. On top of his defensive duties, the 24 year old has been a goal threat for Wanderers having scored seven goals this season.
Camp would provide good competition to Sutton’s defence. Having played a predominately possession-heavy style of play at Dorking under Marc White, Camp could seamlessly fit into the tactics deployed by Steve Morison and Sutton.
James Daly – free agent
A player who could drop down from the EFL to join Sutton is Harrogate Town’s James Daly. The 25 year old is a free agent having spent two years with the Yorkshire side.
Given the departure of Josh Coley, Sutton are likely to be in the market for a wide forward this summer. A move for Daly might be logical given he is likely to drop back down to the National League having failed to make an impact in the EFL.
The former Crystal Palace youngster predominantly operates as a left-winger but has the versatility to operate on the right flank and down the middle. The 25 year old made 38 appearances in League Two for the Sulphurites this season and had a total of five goal contributions.
The winger enjoys running at defences and taking on his opposition. According to Fotmob, Daly completed an average of 1.36 successful dribbles and won 6.62 duels on average per 90 minutes for Harrogate in League Two.
The 25 year old’s best spell of his career was arguably in the National League with Woking during the 2022-23 season where he scored seven goals in 35 appearances. A drop back to the fifth tier to gain regular football with Sutton could be a good move for both parties ahead of the new season.
Chris Haigh – free agent
Given the departures of three goalkeepers at the end of the season, the U’s are in need of recruiting a replacement between the sticks this summer. A keeper who had an impressive season for National League South side Worthing may be a good option for the South London club.
Chris Haigh will be departing the South Coast club after making 43 appearances this season, with The Rebels winning 56% of those games. During this time, Haigh has kept 12 clean sheets and been subject to transfer speculation linking him with a number of National League sides.
The 28 year old goalkeeper may match Morison’s desire to recruit goalkeepers who are comfortable in possession and able to distribute the ball. Worthing have been known to play a possession heavy style of play with Haigh having a 83.5% passing accuracy during the 2024-25 season according to SofaScore.
Haigh is another player with National League experience having played in the fifth tier for Oxford City during the 2023-24 season. A move to South London for the 28 year old would provide Sutton with some much needed depth in the goalkeeping department ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Ashley Nadesan – free agent
A move that on paper seemingly makes sense for both parties. Nadesan spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Sutton from Gillingham.
The 30 year old has been released by the Kent side and may be an option for Sutton to recruit to allow continuity in their attack heading into the new season. According to fbref, the attacker reached 15 goal contributions (eight goals and seven assists) across his loan spell in South London with an average of 0.25 goals per 90 minutes.
Nadesan offered a degree of flexibility to Morison’s side during the season having played up front and out wide in Sutton’s attack. Having provided 11.9% of the total goals scored for the side, it would be understandable should the U’s look to bring the 30 year old back to the club.
Having Nadesan’s experience in the squad could benefit the likes of Will Davies who will most likely have built up an understanding and partnership with his strike partner. It could be an addition to Sutton’s squad which supports their aim of being one of the promotion contenders during the 2025-26 season.