Top 10 January signings in League One

With the January window having come to an end, I pick my top 10 signings to take place in League One.

Millenic Alli (Exeter City)

Exeter City may not see the benefits of this signing for a few weeks or so, but this is one that both caught me by surprise and impressed me at the same time.

Alli is a player that has impressed me during his time in the National League with FC Halifax Town, and he is certainly a player that is capable of making the step up. He has been one of the best attacking midfielders in the division over the last few seasons, and presents the ideal stylistic fit for this City side with The Shaymen implementing a 3-at-the-back system.

In terms of what he will bring to The Grecians, I described Alli as “a wonderfully chaotic yet all the while delicately technical dribbler who picks up brilliant pockets of space, gets on the turn and makes things happen. He has a thing for the spectacular. Quick, lively + can shoot from range”.

He is a super talent, and for a club who don’t often invest in players, I think this is a good investment for the future.

Callum Lang (Portsmouth)

I mean, it’s Callum Lang. Oh, you want me to say more than that? Allow me.

Callum Lang is a player that I am a huge fan of; the last time that he played in League One with Wigan Athletic during their promotion-winning campaign in 2022 he was majestic and one of my favourite players in the entire division. The fact that Portsmouth have been able to add a player of his quality in January is testament to the work of Richard Hughes.

Lang gives you a lovely balance of attacking qualities. Extremely well-rounded, he is quick and athletic, and also has the intelligence to couple with his undoubted technical ability. Versatile to play in a number of positions, albeit best in off the right.

He has made a brilliant start to life at Fratton Park, with two goals and an assist to his name already, and if The Latics needed a reminder of the fact that they have made a grave error in letting him go, I think they are getting it. I would be very annoyed if I was a Latics fan to see him depart; if I was a Portsmouth fan, on the other hand, I’d be delighted. What a signing!

George Byers (Blackpool)

Whilst we are on the theme of “why in the hell have you let him go?”, I present to you midfielder George Byers.

Byers is clearly a player that wasn’t in Danny Rohl’s plans, which I personally find odd given that barring Barry Bannan he is – in my opinion – the best midfield player that The Owls have to offer. The fact that Blackpool have been able to pick him up in the league below represents really strong business.

The midfielder is someone that provides a well-balanced, diverse skillset. He is hard-working, athletic, capable of pressing, can carry the ball through the thirds, get onto seconds, and isn’t adverse to the odd goal, too! In other words, he covers a lot of bases.

I felt Blackpool needed to add a body in the middle of the park, especially in light of losing Kenny Dougall, and so this ticks a lot of boxes.

Harry Lewis (Carlisle United)

Much of Lewis’ time so far at Carlisle United has been a case of picking the ball up out out of the back of the net. Yet, I still think is a good signing.

Carlisle United needed to sign a goalkeeper, as they have had problems in that part of the pitch so far, and Harry Lewis is without a doubt a strong goalkeeper. He excelled during his time at Bradford City, and United did well to land him, and it is just a shame that they didn’t go for him in the summer as having him for longer may have made a bit of a difference.

He is a strong shot-stopper, and it is unfortunate that he has such a large volume of shots to get through at United given their struggles. Often, you use the post-January results as a barometer for the success of a signing, and I think that we will see United gradually improve with Lewis in goal.

He may well come into his own next year when United will no doubt be in League Two, and I think that at his age he represents a wise investment for United. A top goalkeeper, with room to develop, and one I expect to do so. They ticked the goalkeeper box; they now just need to tick the others.

Charlie Goode (Wigan Athletic)

Charlie Goode in League One? Oh yes, I can get on board with that!

The Latics are already strong in the centre of defence, with Charlie Hughes at their disposal, and so to add a player of Charlie Goode’s undoubted quality is like the cherry on the cake for Athletic. He impressed for Northampton Town and got a move to Brentford off the back of it, however has struggled to break through with The Bees due to injury and further factors.

He is Championship defender in my opinion, and so represents an undoubted coup for League One. He is a defender first and foremost, strong in the air and robust in the tackle, and so while The Latics have tried to play and be fancy under Maloney, Goode is a welcome return to the brilliant basics.

Goode is 28 years of age and so also provides The Latics with an experienced face in an otherwise youthful side, and I think that could be a welcome addition. A player who is far too good for the level, and I am expecting an upturn in their fortunes.

Kamil Conteh (Bristol Rovers)

The fact that Kamil Conteh only moved to Grimsby Town in the summer and has then moved on to League One this January tells you all you need to know about the player.

Kamil Conteh shone in the National League with Gateshead, showing himself to be a hugely talented, press-resistant, deep-lying midfield player who is capable to weave himself out of tight situations, has a lovely passing range, and is able to protect the back four well.

He impressed for The Mariners, and The Gas have moved quickly to secure his services before he hits his prime years and while I don’t think this is transformative for Rovers’ end to the campaign, I think that his one who we will see the long-term rewards of in years to come.

Gas boss Taylor said that this signing was a useful one in light of an injury to Grant Ward, but I think he provides an improvement on their midfield options. Only in his early 20’s, I think he is a super player.

Jordan Thomas (Cheltenham Town)

You didn’t think I was going to do this list and not pick someone to have signed from non-league, did you?

Make no mistake about this’ Jordan Thomas is a wonderful talent. There were a lot of Championship clubs sniffing around him, and so the fact that Cheltenham Town have been able to land him in the January transfer window should be applauded. So good in fact that you can almost gloss over the fact that Town signed Joe Nuttall.

Back to the player in hand; wow! I have watched Thomas this season with Bath City and I was blown away by the intricacy and the craft with which he uses the ball in possession and manipulates it in wide areas. His appreciation for how to use space and his body to get past players is effortless, he is a hugely skilful player and highly technical.

The way in which he plays is like Lionel Messi – a somewhat lazy comparison you could say, but one wholly reflective of his quality and style – and I really do think that there is a player here who can go all the way.

Aaron Collins (Bolton Wanders)

Oof.

Last season, many were saying that Aaron Collins was a player that should be playing in the Championship, and I would probably say that he is capable of that on his day. He hasn’t many of those “days” at Bristol Rovers this term, but there is no hiding away from the fact that he is a hugely talented player and one who The Trotters will be delighted to have secured.

Not only is Collins a talented player, but one who plays with little bit of swagger and star quality that sets apart the good players from the very best ones. And, while he hasn’t been up to the high standards of next year, if Wanderers can get him back to his best then they have pulled off one hell of a deal.

I wouldn’t say that Bolton Wanderers have that overwhelming star quality in their side – albeit a lot of good players – and so adding a player like Collins’ ability could well be the driving force that can get them over the line and win promotion.

Jed Steer (Peterborough United)

Is it flashy? No. Is it fancy? No. Is it functional? Yes. Will this pick be popular? No. Am I sticking to my guns? Abso-fricking-lutely. Jed Steer – come on down!

One of the areas in which I think Peterborough United had to add going into the window, and just as a general improvement to their team, was in goal. I think that Jed Steer provides an upgrade on what they had before, and provides a welcome reminder of the fact that while The Posh stick to their principles of opting for youth where they can, United are also smart to add quality and the experience when they need it.

Jed Steer is a goalkeeper who I think can – and probably should – be playing in the Championship. When you have the quality of young talent outfield as The Posh do, they perhaps needed that experienced, more reliable figure at the back and so adding someone of Steer’s calibre is hugely important.

To land him on a free as well is a wise move, and I do think that this deal should get more credit it will.