Rochdale are closing in on the permanent signing of League Two promotion winner Tyler Smith on a free transfer.
Jimmy McNulty’s side are currently competing at the top end of the National League standings and have striker Mani Dieseruvwe largely to thank for his outstanding start to the campaign.
However, it appears as though Rochdale aren’t happy with their squad depth at present and have opted to make their team even stronger moving forward.
Smith set for Rochdale move
As reported by journalist Alan Nixon, Rochdale are set to complete the permanent signing of forward Tyler Smith on a free transfer, following his departure from Bradford City during the summer.
Smith was recently training with League One side Burton Albion and appeared close to join them, but that deal didn’t come to pass in the end.
Rochdale have a magnitude of attacking options including Mani Dieseruvwe, Devante Rodney and Connor McBride, but those are set to get even stronger in the coming days.
How did he fare last season?
The 26-year-old headed into the 2024/25 season off the back of hitting double figures for the Bantams in all competitions, seemingly in the plans.
However, he had a slow start to the campaign, failing to score a goal for Bradford during the first half of the season and was loaned out to fellow League Two side Barrow in January.
Under the management of Andy Whing, Smith grabbed two goals as the club finished in the bottom half, but picked up a promotion winners medal after Bradford’s final day heroics against Fleetwood Town.
Unfortunately for Smith, he was released from the club over the summer after his contract came to an end.
Can Smith strengthen Rochdale’s promotion hopes?
Rochdale (as previously stated) have several high quality attacking options at present and unsurprisingly find themselves second in the National League, two points behind Forest Green Rovers with two games in hand.
Dieseruvwe himself is currently the joint-top goalscorer in the division with nine goals in his opening 11 matches, level with Carlisle’s Regan Linney.
Smith has a magnitude of EFL experience throughout the three divisions and that could allow him to take on a leadership style role in attack – potentially boosting his morale and confidence which could make him start firing again.
Meanwhile, Rochdale get themselves a goalscoring forward to make an already strong team, even stronger.