Port Vale are amongst the League One clubs lining up for Brandon Hanlan’s signature. The forward is on the hunt for a fresh start with his contract at Wycombe Wanderers set to expire at the end of this month.
The 24-year-old has faced a turbulent period of his career in the last few seasons, having joined the Chairboys in 2021 the forward was a key player as Ainsworth’s men narrowly missed out on promotion at Wembley.
An injury-riddled last few years has seen Hanlan limited for appearances with the club, having joined Stevenage on loan in the latter half of the 2024-25 campaign.
In the search for a fresh start after four years at Adams Park, a host of League One clubs are set to make a move for the striker’s signature.
League One clubs in for Brandon Hanlan
Now set to be a free agent, reports from Football League World have stated newly promoted duo Port Vale and Doncaster Rovers to be in the race for the forward’s signature, with Kevin Nolan’s Northampton Town also in the race.
Still, in the peak years of his career, it is no surprise to see divisional rivals interested in the race for Hanlan’s services.
Despite suffering an injury-plagued last few years, the forward still possesses both quality and experience at the level.
When fully fit, Hanlan has often tallied a reasonable number of goals and assists for numerous clubs over the years.
Throughout his career, the forward has impressed for Bristol Rovers and Gillingham at the level, while proving himself for Wycombe Wanderers over the years.
Therefore, a move further down the division could be sensible as the forward looks for a fresh start, and clubs will know that if fully fit, they would be acquiring a forward with a wealth of experience in the division.
Where should Brandon Hanlan sign?
The three clubs in the race all offer excellent space for the 28-year-old to make a fresh start at a level he is proven at.
Darren Moore’s Port Vale are not short of forwards, with the likes of Ronan Curtis, Lorent Tolaj, and Jayden Stockley well-established in the first team. However, as the club seeks to adapt to the third tier, an experienced option could be vital.
The same goes for Doncaster Rovers, who are not short of potent forward options. However, Robert Street’s return to Lincoln City partnered with possible concerns over Billy Sharp’s age could suggest that Grant McCann will need to address his forward areas in the summer window.
Meanwhile, Kevin Nolan will likely be planning to take his Northampton Town side further up the division after steering the club clear of the League One relegation zone last year.
With Mitch Pinnock departing for Bromley and Dara Costelloe returning to Burnley, Nolan will certainly need to invest in the forward positions.
A reliable option at the level, it will be interesting to see where Hanlan seeks to reboot his career in the 2025-26 campaign, and the forward has plenty of suitors to match his ambitions.