EFL League One Transfer Window Rankings: Every Club’s Summer Business Ranked 24-1
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EFL League One Transfer Window Rankings: Every Club’s Summer Business Ranked 24-1

EFL League One Transfer Window Rankings: Every Club’s Summer Business Rated 1-24

The transfer window is now shut! It is too late to push anyone off the wage bill or to make any last minute panic buys, each team will have to make do with what the have until at least January.

Some teams in EFL League One have certainly had a better summer than others. We’ve seen plenty of investment across the board, but also some clubs remain content with what they have. Nobody truly knows how good a club’s signings will be until they have completed this season.

However, Football Park are going to make an effort of it. We are going to rank every League One club’s transfer business from 24-1, based off the calibre of signings they have brought in, adjoined with their ability to hold onto key players.

24. Port Vale

Out of the four newly promoted sides, Port Vale look the least likely to secure League One safety this season. On paper their summer business has not been anywhere near good enough.

Darren Moore has brought in some healthy additions in George Hall, Mo Faal, Cameron Humphreys and latecomer Devante Cole. However, the loss of Lorent Tolaj to Plymouth could be the demise of their season.

The Swiss forward was the club’s top scorer last season with 15 goals and he even scored one of Port Vale’s only two goals of this season prior to leaving. His departure comes as a huge blow for the Staffordshire outfit and could affect their chances of survival.

23. Northampton Town

Northampton Town escaped survival by slim margins last season, but they may not have done enough this summer to confirm the same fate. The Cobblers really haven’t attracted confidence with their summer business, after opting with a cheaper route.

They acquired 11 free agents in the transfer window. Some obtain a good level of experience, but not many of those players urge excitement to the Sixfields Stadium. An exception being Ethan Wheatley who has arrived on loan from Manchester United and has already opened his scoring account.

The main bonus for Kevin Nolan’s men is that they continue to have Sam Hoskins at their disposal, who has served the club extremely well over the last 10 years.

22. Rotherham United

Rotherham have really struggled since their relegation from the Championship in 2024. The South Yorkshire club invested heavily into their squad on the back of that drop, but it got them nowhere as they ended last season in 13th.

This time round, the Millers haven’t been led down the same path. They have signed two full backs from overseas in Arjany Martha and Denzel Hall, but other than that their business consists of a few loans and free transfers from greater opposition.

In return, Matthew Hamshaw has waved goodbye to the likes of Jonson Clarke-Harris, Hakeem Odoffin and Cameron Humphreys - all with no fees attached.

21. Burton Albion

There is no doubt Burton Albion have lost a selection of their finest talent over the summer transfer window. Elliot Watt, Danilo Orsi, Max Crocombe, Ryan Sweeney and Rumarn Burrell have all departed the club in the last three months.

However, the calibre of signings they have replaced them with may be just as capable to keep the Brewers ticking in League One. Manager Gary Bowyer has added Sebastian Revan, Tyrese Shade, Fabio Tavares, Jake Beesley and Jordan Amissah to his squad and the list goes on.

Whilst a lot of these are loanees, Burton always seem to find a way to escape the dreaded drop.

20. Mansfield Town

You cannot criticise Mansfield’s ability to retain their stars of last season. The Stags have done superbly in that front, only losing a few out of contract players here and there. However, their squad may not be upgraded enough to improve on last term.

The Stags started off last campaign excellently, but there is no doubt their year tailed off towards the rear end. They dropped from playoff candidates down to relegation contenders after the Christmas period and that is something that needs work on.

Although, it doesn’t seem like their issue has been patched over. Mansfield have lost Christy Pym, Aden Flint and Keanu Baccus over the summer period and haven’t really added in anyone spectacular since. The signings of Tyler Roberts and Ryan Sweeney seem positive but only time will tell.

19. Peterborough United

Peterborough’s nightmare start to the season has once again resulted in chairman Darragh MacAnthony pumping a sizeable amount of money into the club. The Posh have picked up just one point and scored only two goals from their opening six matches in the third tier, which led to a busy Deadline Day in Cambridgeshire.

Darren Ferguson lost a handful of key players over the course of the window, including Malik Mothersille, Ricky-Jade Jones, Kyprianou and of course starlet Kwame Poku. The Posh received a comfortable amount of profit on the players mentioned; however, a lot of the income was regurgitated back into the squad.

They completed 16 signings across this summer, four of which were completed in the dying embers. Boro forked out £1 million each for both Declan Frith and Deadline Day acquisition Harry Leonard, but have very little to show for it. It is certainly worrying times in Peterborough.

18. Wycombe Wanderers

Wycombe Wanderers competed amidst a three-horse promotion race for the longevity of last season, until they unfortunately slipped at the final hurdle and finished fifth. As they crashed out of the playoffs, they also lost the bulk of their squad, which is already proving costly.

The Chairboys are now isolated without star players such as Richard Kone, Joe Low, Daniele Udoh and Tyreeq Bakinson, who joined many others to depart Wycombe this summer.

Whilst Mike Dodds has still acquired some highly-rated talent to follow suit, Wycombe look like a shadow of their old selves. However, Connor Taylor, Taylor Allen and loanee George Abbott are definitely all positive reinforcements in Buckinghamshire.

17. Plymouth Argyle

For a team who are looking to bounce straight back from their Championship relegation, Plymouth Argyle certainly haven’t orchestrated the business to resemble their intentions this summer.

The Greens have undergone a complete rebuild to the squad that finished 23rd in the second tier last term. They have lost the likes of Ryan Hardie, Maksym Taloverov and Adam Randell, but haven’t exactly replaced them with the quality expected of them.

Of course, the addition of Lorent Tolaj could be a fantastic signing from the £1.2 million they paid Port Vale for him, but the rest of the club’s signings have led them to 21st place after six games.

16. Exeter City

Exeter have barely spent a penny this summer, but also not received anything in return for their outgoings. Essentially, they have optimised the free transfer and loan market and let some of their squad go in the same manner.

The Grecians added in quality through Jayden Wareham, Joe Whitworth, Ryan Rydel, Danny Andrew an co, whilst waving away the likes of Caleb Watts, Demetri Mitchell and Ryan Woods.

The side from Devon once again don’t look like progressing from their mid-table perch, but it is also a strategy which has assembled the club to be a challenging League One outfit.

15. Lincoln City

It was always going to be difficult for Lincoln to hold onto players such as Paudie O’Connor, Sean Roughan, Jovon Makama and Ethan Erhahon this summer, but they have certainly replaced them well.

After receiving a wealthy dose of profit in return for the names mentioned, the Imps have put more trust into their existing players and acquired new talent through Sonny Bradley, Ryley Tower, Adam Reach and Ivan Varfolomeev. Consequently, Michael Skubala’s men currently occupy a top-half position six games in.

14. Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster have arrived amongst the League Two promotion pack and have instantly performed up to a fantastic standard. Grant McCann has got them into fifth position as it stands, with 13 points, which hands kudos to the project he has built in South Yorkshire.

The Rovers didn’t let any of their key players from last season go, including star-man Luke Molyneux, and have added to their team with brilliance. The likes of Matthew Pearson, Thimothee Lo-Tutala and Connor O’Riordan have come in and hit the ground running immediately, steering their side towards the top end of the table.

13. Cardiff City

The way Cardiff have kickstarted their season is second to none. Whilst the Bluebirds have only brought in three players in the summer transfer window, they currently lead at the very summit of League One, after gaining 16 points from their opening six games.

Their activity in the window has been absolutely nothing to rave about, after completing the loan signatures of both Nathan Trott and Omari Kellyman and the permanent addition of Gabe Osho. However, Cardiff have managed to hold onto the bulk of their Championship squad, which must be applauded.

12. Stevenage

Stevenage are off to a flying start in League One this season. The Boro currently sit in second place after gaining 15 points from their opening five matches.

Their impeccable performances only add credit to the business they have orchestrated this summer. Alex Revell managed to keep the bulk of his side that finished 14th last term, but added the likes of Filip Marschall, Phoenix Patterson, Chem Campbell and Jordan Houghton.

The Hertfordshire side could be in for a fantastic season if they keep their form up. However, we all know how much can change in the 46-game campaign.

11. Leyton Orient

It was always going to prove difficult for Leyton Orient to replace the stars that helped them reach the League One Playoff Final last season. However, it is fair to say that they’ve made a good go of it.

Despite the O’s waving goodbye to all of their beloved loanees including Charlie Kelman - as well as losing Ethan Galbraith to Swansea - they have brought in 15 signings in total.

Some of the more key signings include Aaron Connolly from Millwall, Josh Koroma from Huddersfield, El Mizouni from Oxford, Tyreeq Bakinson from Wycombe and Deadline Day Dom Ballard from Southampton.

10. Reading

Reading suffered a huge blow this summer. They parted ways with arguably their best player in Harvey Knibbs who went up to Championship side Charlton.

However, the Royals have recruited in the right areas since, by bringing in Jack Marriott from Wrexham, Paddy Lane and Matt Ritchie from Portsmouth, as well as Daniel Kyerewaa from the Bundesliga 2.

With a lot of these signings coming late in the window, it has taken some time for Reading to gel. However, they did manage to win their last match against Port Vale in League One.

9. Wigan Athletic

Wigan are another side who have just continued to perish in the middle of League One following their dreaded relegation from the Championship.

The Latics are yet to finish above 12th in the third tier since 2023, but this could be the year. Although they haven’t started the best so far, their business this summer has been brilliant.

Ryan Lowe has upgraded his squad with sheer talent, including Dara Costelloe from Burnley, Callum Wright from Plymouth, Christian Saydee from Portsmouth and Raphael Borges Rodrigues from Coventry.

8. AFC Wimbledon

Wimbledon have shocked the majority of us with their recent summer business. After being promoted via the League Two Playoffs last season, the South London outfit have completed eight marquee signings - a lot of them being through the free transfer market.

The Wombles have orchestrated the arrivals of Patrick Bauer from Preston, Danilo Orsi from Burton, Nathan Asiimwe from Charlton and goalkeeper Nathan Bishop from Sunderland. Similarly to many, their only departures are either free transfers or loans.

7. Bolton Wanderers

It seems as if Bolton Wanderers splash out on a new rebuild every year, just for the same disappointment at the end of the season. This summer, the Whites have once again spent big, to replenish the losses of Ricardo Santos and George Thomason, who both left for Championship teams.

Bolton acquired both Ethan Erhahon and Xavier Simons for their midfield, whilst spending upwards of £500k on Barbados international Thierry Gale. Steven Schumacher also attracted loanees Mason Burtsow, Teddy Sharman-Lowe and Ibrahim Cissoko to the club.

6. Bradford City

It is common knowledge that Bradford are a club more than deserving of at least League One status. Last term, they finally managed to get out of the fourth tier and since doing so they have made fantastic signings - ones which you’d expect from any top-end third tier side.

The Bantams have added the likes of Matthew Pennington, Stephen Humphrys, Max Power, Tom McIntyre and Josh Neufville to their ranks, without losing anyone too valuable in the process.

As a result, the West Yorkshire side have started League One life glamorously, with four wins and two draws from six games.

5. Stockport County

Stockport are really attempting to one-better their third place finish of last season. The club has attacked the summer transfer window with both hands, executing several key signings.

County have brought in Ben Osborn, Tyler Onyango and marksman Nathan Lowe on loan for the season, as well as spending a hefty fee on forward Malik Mothersille - a man who racked up 21 League One goal contributions for Peterborough last term.

The only major departure from Stockport came from Isaac Olaofe, who left for Charlton after three seasons and 33 goals for County.

4. Barnsley

Barnsley have executed some superb business this summer, without even marginally breaking the bank.

The Tykes triggered the loan market by bringing in the likes of Nathaniel Ogbeta, Jake Rooney and Caylan Vickers, but then managed to get an instrumental striker for free in David McGoldrick.

Once again, Barnsley’s outgoings really haven’t affected the core of their squad, with most of them being free agents or young loanees.

3. Blackpool

Despite Blackpool not getting off to the best start in League One this season, there is no doubt that their business has been excellent on paper.

The Tangerines have acquired a plethora of experience at League One level, through the signings of George Honeyman, Michael Ihiekwe and Fraser Horsfall, whilst bringing in exciting talent such as Niall Ennis, Josh Bowler and Dale Taylor.

Their only unfortunate loss is the duo pairing of both Sonny Carey and Rob Apter to Charlton, but the latter helped raise over £2 million for the club.

2. Luton Town

There is no doubt that Luton were put into one of the most awkward positions in League One ahead of this season, following their back-to-back relegations down from the Premier League. The Hatters still had possession of a lot of their top flight attributes, who of course are not easily affordable on third division wage bills.

However, overall Luton have dealt with their business very well. Although Matt Bloomfield has lost the likes of Alfie Doughty, Thelo Aasgaard, Thomas Kaminski and Mark McGuiness, he has managed to get upwards of £5 million for them and replaced them for a fifth of the cost.

Some of the replacements include Josh Kelley, Cohen Bramall, Kal Naismith, Ali Al-Hamadi and Nakhi Wells, who are all excellent additions at this level.

1. Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield have had a simply fantastic transfer window this summer. After finishing 10th last season, the Terriers knew they needed a lot to change for the 2025/26 campaign.

So they changed. New manager Lee Grant brought in 14 players this summer, including the £1.2 million talisman Alfie May from Birmingham, who has scored 82 goals in his last four seasons in League One. Furthermore, Will Alves, Leo Castledine, Joe Low and Ryan Ledson were all brought to West Yorkshire.

They also managed to keep hold of both Ben Willes and Herbie Kane - two of their best performers from last term.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist

Tom Booth

Content Writer

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