Sutton United have secured a deal for Besart Topalloj after his release from League Two leaders Bromley earlier this week.
The defender spent the first half of the season on loan at Hartlepool United. Despite impressing for the Northeast side, the 24-year-old’s loan deal was cut short with reports suggesting a move closer to home was desired.
Sutton United have won the race, according to Pete O’Rourke, to secure the defender who would return to the side where he spent the majority of the 2024-25 season on loan.
Sutton United’s busy transfer dealings
The reported deal for Topalloj is not the only business Sutton have completed this month. On the weekend, the club confirmed a deal with Bolton Wanderers for midfielder Dubem Eze.
On top of this, Chris Agutter’s side have extended Kai Jennings’ loan spell from AFC Wimbledon until the end of the season. The midfielder has been a crucial cog in Sutton’s upturn since the new manager came in, with five goals in all competitions.
Prior to reports of Topalloj’s signing, the U’s agreed a deal with Chelmsford City for goalkeeper Chris Haigh. This increased transfer activity is what Agutter has been suggesting when speaking to the club’s official media.
“We need to add players and the Walton and Solihull games highlighted that”.
The reported deal for the former Bromley defender is likely a result of Sutton’s manager’s desire to add to the squad.
What can Besart Topalloj bring to Sutton United?
The defender was a key component in an impressive defensive unit at Hartlepool prior to his departure. The Monkey Hangers have the joint-second-best defence in the National League.
The 24-year-old helped with this through his defensive qualities. In his 21 matches for Hartlepool, he completed an average of 5.8 ball recoveries and won seven duels on average per game.
Topalloj’s qualities allowed him to provide a threat going forward for Nicky Featherstone’s side. He managed three goal involvements from a defensive position and provided attacking qualities with his ability to beat opposition players, completing 83% of dribbles attempted.
Is Besart Topalloj a good signing for Sutton United?
One aspect that might be a benefit to the U’s is the defender’s previous loan spell at the club. A number of players he played with last year, such as Jack Taylor and Hayden Muller, remain in the squad, which may provide defensive chemistry.
It is clear that it is defensively where Sutton needs to improve. The South London side have conceded 1.8 goals per match, which is ranked joint-twentieth in the league.
Coupled with this is the injury crisis Agutter’s side currently have. Edon Pruti and Alex Kirk are currently recovering from wrist and back injuries, respectively.
On top of this, the U’s manager has revealed to club media, that Hayden Muller and Jack Taylor have been playing through injuries in recent games:
“Hayden Muller has played 96 minutes with a problem and Jack Taylor needed to come off after an hour”
“We’re a million miles away from having a team out there that is 100%, at the races physically”
With Sutton United’s defensive record and injuries in mind, the signing of Besart Topalloj could provide some much-needed quality in defence ahead of the second half of the season.