Top 5 League Two Transfers So Far – Opinion

The EFL season doesn’t start for another eight weeks but a number of clubs have done early business in the transfer market. Here are (in our opinion) five of the top deals completed so far in League Two:

Joe Sbarra – Solihull Moors to Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers have added a creative spark to their midfield for the upcoming season capturing Joe Sbarra on a two-year deal. The twenty-five-year-old midfielder was picked up by the Yorkshire side on a free after his four-year spell at National League side Solihull Moors came to an end. Sbarra has previous EFL experience having come through the Burton Albion academy and making 49 appearances for the first team. It was in the National League where the creative midfielder’s career took off with the 2021-22 season a stand out, scoring 18 goals to help take the Moors to the brink of the EFL before losing to Grimsby in the play-off final. With Rovers deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation for the last few months of the season, Sbarra is likely to slot into McCann and Doncaster’s attack. Predominantly playing in the number ten role, with an adaptability to move to the right, the midfielder will bring a creative spark to the Rovers midfield and can chip in with the odd goal having an average of a goal every four games during his time at Solihull Moors. 

Antoni Sarcevic – Stockport County to Bradford City

A player who knows a thing or two about promotion has arrived at Valley Parade looking to add an eighth promotion to his impressive career which includes five from the fourth tier. Bradford will be the Manchester-born midfielder’s ninth club of his career, a list that includes the likes of; Crewe, Shrewsbury, Plymouth and Fleetwood. Sarcevic has signed a two-year deal with the Bantams and was their first transfer of the summer after his departure from Stockport. The 32-year-old midfielder has secured promotion from League Two with his three previous clubs (Stockport, Bolton and Plymouth) and helped Stockport secure the title last season scoring eight times and assisting seven from a central midfield position. With Alexander often playing two central/holding midfielders during his time at Bradford, it is obvious that with his experience and ability, Sarcevic will slot straight into the midfield. Alexander, having worked with Sarcevic before at Fleetwood, will hope the midfielder can work his magic again and add another promotion to his CV. 

Paddy Madden – Stockport County to Chesterfield

Another experienced professional leaving Stockport this summer was Paddy Madden, and the Irishman was snapped up on a two-year deal by National League champions Chesterfield. The 34-year-old forward arrives in Derbyshire with an impressive CV having scored over 200 goals in the 650-plus appearances in his career for a number of clubs including the likes of Yeovil, Fleetwood, Scunthorpe and most recently Stockport. Madden scored 17 goals in Stockport’s title-winning campaign from an expected goals tally of 14.5 xG. Critics may argue that offering Madden a two-year contract isn’t in the long-term interests of the club given his age but the wealth of experience that the striker brings to the EFL new boys is unquestioned. Having captained the Hatters he will bring huge leadership experience and will likely be a mentor to fellow signing Kane Drummond who signs from Northern Premier League side Macclesfield. A striker who knows what it takes to get out of the league will be an invaluable asset for a side looking to emulate Wrexham and achieve back-to-back promotions. 

Laurence Maguire – Chesterfield to Milton Keynes Dons 

Brother to English international defender Harry Maguire, Laurence is another player who despite winning promotion out of League Two last season, has joined a club within it. Maguire joined the Buckinghamshire club from Chesterfield having made 167 appearances for the Spireites between 2016 and 2023 after graduating through their academy. The 27-year-old defender went on loan to Scott Lindsey’s Crawley for the 2023-24 season and helped the Red Devils have a remarkable season which culminated in promotion from League Two. Making 39 appearances, predominantly playing on the left of a back three, Maguire had some of the best defensive stats for the side with a tackle success rate of 73%. The defender will fit right into Mike Williamson’s possession-heavy MK Dons side having been part of a Crawley side that had the fourth highest average possession in League Two with 57%. Having signed a player who has experienced promotion, MK Dons will be hoping that he can lift the side to go one step further than they managed last season. 

Jacob Bedeau – Morecambe to Notts County

Earlier this week, central defender Jacob Bedeau completed his move from Morecambe to Notts County on a three-year deal. The 24-year-old defender arrives having made more than 150 appearances within the EFL. Having been part of the Aston Villa academy, the majority of his appearances have come during his time at Morecambe having made over 100 appearances for the Shrimps in both League One and Two. Bedeau joins a side in need of defensive solidity having had the worst defensive record in the league last season. County conceded an average of 1.9 goals per game and had the second-highest xG conceded in the league with 75.4. Despite Morecambe’s defence not being the most efficient last season, the defender brings with him a wealth of experience and athleticism, for his age, to add to the Magpie’s back line. The Grenada international could form part of a new-look defence for County having signed for the club alongside fellow League Two defender Matty Platt. 

Other Significant Transfers: 

• Matty Stevens – FGR to AFC Wimbledon
• Aaron Hayden – Wrexham to Carlisle
• Ronan Curtis – AFC Wimbledon to Port Vale
• Cole Stockton – Burton to Salford