National League

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Boston United have signed experienced defender Niall Canavan on a one-year contract.

The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland under-21 international began his senior career with Scunthorpe United in the Championship.

He played more than 150 league games for the Iron before moving on to Rochdale, Plymouth Argyle, Bradford City and Barrow.

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Goalkeeper Jack Sims has returned to Southend United as a free agent after leaving Sutton United.

The 27-year-old was with the Shrimpers as a schoolboy but joined Blackpool at 16 and has gone on to play for Welling United and Braintree Town, who he helped to promotion through the National League South play-offs in 2024.

Sims played 67 National League games for Sutton over the past two seasons.

He has signed a one-year deal with the Essex club, with the club retaining an option for a second season.

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Woking have signed 20-year-old winger Taylan Harris on a season's loan from Luton Town.

The Reading youth product, who can play across the front three positions, gained senior experience on loan at both Tranmere Rovers and Braintree Town last season.

He played 19 games during his spell at Tranmere before scoring two goals in five National League appearances for Braintree.

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Yeovil Town have signed Crawley Town defender Ben Radcliffe on loan until the end of January.

The 22-year-old played on loan for Gateshead in the National League last season.

He has English Football League experience with Burton Albion as well as Crawley, and played a Carabao Cup game for Derby County during two seasons with the Rams from 2023 to 2025.

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National League side Eastleigh have signed striker Oliver Hawkins after a successful trial.

The 34-year-old joins on a free transfer, having left Barnet earlier this summer.

The striker has plenty of English Football League experience, having made 286 appearances in Leagues One and Two for clubs including Gillingham, Portsmouth, Mansfield and Ipswich Town.

The Spitfires have not disclosed the length of Hawkins' contract.

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Southend United have signed midfielder Rico Richards from Port Vale for an undisclosed fee on a two-year contract, with a club option of a third year.

The 22-year-old spent last season on loan at Walsall where he made just one start in League Two.

Richards was previously part of the Stockport County squad which won promotion to League One in 2023-24, making 11 league appearances.

"I watched [Kieron Dyer - Southend United head coach] in games while I was growing up, and he's very experienced on the pitch, so I'm sure he can teach me a few things," Richards told the Shrimpers' website., external

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Eastleigh have signed Sheffield Wednesday defender Reece Johnson on a season-long-loan.

The 20-year-old left-back has played 16 times for the Owls, with the majority of those appearances coming last season in the Championship alongside games in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup.

Johnson made his Sheffield Wednesday debut in the EFL Cup, starting in a victory away to Bolton Wanderers where he also scored his first senior goal.

"I want a good season where I can play games," he told the club website., external "You're at your best when you're playing and I want to get as many minutes into the legs as I can."

FC Halifax Town have signed former Buxton defender Max Bardell and Doncaster Rovers defender Will Flint on two-year deals.

Bardell, 23, who spent time in the academies of Manchester City and Huddersfield, made 40 National League North appearances in 2025-26.

Flint, 20, had a loan spell in the National League with Gateshead in the first half of last season before also ending it with the Bucks.

Both players worked with Shaymen boss John McGrath during their time with Buxton.

Hartlepool United have signed goalkeeper Nathan Fisher on a free transfer.

The 21-year-old, who was released by Middlesbrough at the end of last season, has signed a one-year contract at Victoria Park with the option of a further year.

It comes a day after Pools signed fellow goalkeeper Max Merrick on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

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National League club Woking have signed former Gillingham defender Shadrach Ogie on a two-year contract.

The 24-year-old's three-year stay at Gillingham came to an end earlier this summer when his contract expired.

Woking director of football Jody Brown told the club website, external that former boss Jermain Defoe "played a big part in identifying and attracting the player to the club before his departure" and said former Leyton Orient man Ogie is "a great fit for what we're building at the club".

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Cameron John has returned to Hartlepool United, signing a one-year contract with a club option of a second year following a loan spell with the National League side last season.

The versatile left-sided defender scored twice in 40 appearances for Pools during last season's loan spell.

John, 26, left York City at the end of his contract earlier this summer.

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Harrogate Town have signed Middlesbrough defender Archie Baptiste for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.

The 20-year-old joined Boro last June after coming through Tottenham's academy and made one Championship appearance.

He ended the season on loan with Rochdale but did not feature for them.

"He's eager to get that opportunity to play men's football and both parties feel it's a good fit, so hopefully he can progress and do well for himself," head of player recruitment Lloyd Kerry told the club website., external