Five Free Agents That League Two Clubs Should Consider – Opinion

The January transfer window is here, a light at the end of a wintery tunnel for some clubs. It brings the possibility of new recruits, a new hope for the rest of the season.

Money is tight for a number of EFL clubs, so the free agent market could be the place bosses go to secure their sought-after new signings. 

With the Championship and League One covered, it’s the turn of SkyBet League Two. So, what free agents should fourth division sides take a look at in January?

Gary Madine

We’re hitting the ground running with this one, a solid striker and one that surprises me by not having a club.

The 33-year-old forward was let go by Blackpool in the summer after a difficult season in the Championship. He managed just four goals and four assists across 27 appearances in the second division. The season before he notched nine league goals.

So, not earth-shattering numbers, but two divisions lower, Gary Madine could be a consistent goal scorer.

Having played in all four EFL levels, Madine is an experienced head. He has played at nine different football league clubs across a long career. He could well give a League Two team a boost in front of goal, and carry them up the table.

Matty Longstaff

Next up is a man towards the other end of his career, 23-year-old Matty Longstaff.

He saw his Newcastle United contract expire in the summer, having come up through the famous club’s academy.

Matty has been in the shadow of Longstaff brother, Sean, but still has something to offer in the centre of midfield himself. He has enjoyed loan spell at League Two sides Mansfield Town and Colchester United over recent seasons, after a few months in the Scottish Premiership, at Aberdeen.

The young midfielder has scored twice in the Premier League, but perhaps more pertinently for this list has notched six goals and two assists in 23 League Two appearances. 

I think Matty Longstaff could add a great deal to a League Two team desperate for a creative force in their midfield engine room, no matter their position in the table.

Joe Dodoo

We return to the top of the field for another forward – Joe Dodoo. The 28-year-old is comfortable on the left and right flanks, as well as through the middle.

He has had a rocky career, struggling to prove himself good enough in League One. However, I think he could offer something in the fourth tier.

As a Doncaster Rovers supporter I saw a bit of Dodoo during his time at the Eco-Power Stadium. As much as I wasn’t convinced by him during his spell at the club, I still think he has something to offer a division lower.

League One Burton Albion released him last January, so it’s been a year without competitive football for the former Rangers man. That being said, he could be worth a shot for a League Two team trying to scrape themselves from the bottom end of the table.

Josh Morris

A more versatile option now, as I look at left winger Josh Morris. While the 32-year-old primarily operates on the left flank, he is capable in the centre of the park and at left-back.

That versatility could be a valuable asset for League Two clubs looking to sure up their ranks before the end of the season crunch.

The Englishman was released by Motherwell in the summer and has been without a club ever since.

In the 2021/22 season he played 21 games at Class of ‘92 owned Salford City. He has scored 70 goals and assisted a further 65 across his lengthy career, with impressive stats during his times at Scunthorpe United and Fleetwood Town a few years ago.

If a League Two club gives Morris a chance, he could rekindle some of his past form and provide a safe, adaptable pair of hands for the rest of the season.

Ollie Younger

Last but certainly not least, it’s another former Doncaster Rovers man. While the aforementioned Joe Dodoo’s time at the Rovers was disappointing because of performances, Ollie Younger’s spell in South Yorkshire was drowned by hamstring injuries.

The 24-year-old centre-back left Doncaster in the summer, perhaps down to his chequered injury record across the prior season.

However, the former Sunderland and Burnley man should be considered by a number of League Two clubs in need of security in defence.

If Younger can stay free from injury, he can become a very good League Two – maybe even League One – defender. The right footer is the perfect sort of acquisition for the January transfer window because he’s low risk, but carries the potential of high reward.

Which free agent would you take at your League Two club?