AFC Rushden & Diamonds beat higher division clubs to sign the experienced former EFL player that is John-Joe O’Toole.
His new side currently sit 14th in the Northern Premier League – Midlands Division, with 33 points from 24 games played, 7 points form the playoff places and 7 points above the drop zone.
The club say he is available for selection from this weekend, when they play host to Sutton Coldfield Town, currently 15th in the table. Rushden also play at home to Anstey Nomads in midweek.
Welcome to Rushden… pic.twitter.com/iPlqTJwhvr
— AFC Rushden & Diamonds (@AFCRD) January 16, 2026
STATEMENT:
AFC Rushden & Diamonds are delighted to announce the HUGE signing of… John-Joe O’Toole!
A legend in the area, he has made nearly 500 league appearances across his career, including promotion at Northampton Town.
A central midfielder, John-Joe joins to give us the reinforcement and experience needed to kick on in the 2nd half the season!
Welcome JJ!!
Manager Elliot Sandy: “JJ is exactly the type of player I feel we’ve been missing; experienced, driven and a leader.
“He will really help our young squad and I’m delighted to have him on board after beating step 1 & 2 teams for his signature.”
NEW SIGNING ✍️ | John-Joe O’Toole
AFC Rushden & Diamonds are delighted to announce the HUGE signing of…
John-Joe O’Toole!
A legend in the area, he has made nearly 500 league appearances across his career, including promotion at Northampton Town.
A central midfielder,… pic.twitter.com/KDeIbYBn1n
— AFC Rushden & Diamonds (@AFCRD) January 16, 2026
🗣️ Read what Manager Elliot Sandy had to say about the HUGE new addition to the Diamonds! pic.twitter.com/48C1bnIfz1
— AFC Rushden & Diamonds (@AFCRD) January 16, 2026
HIS CAREER:
Youth career
–2007 Watford
Senior
2007–2010 – Watford – 66 games (12 goals)
2007 → Wealdstone (loan) – 9 games (3 goals)
2009 → Sheffield United (loan) – 9 games (1 goal)
2009–2013 – Colchester United – 76 games (3 goals)
2013–2014 – Bristol Rovers – 46 games (15 goals)
2014–2019 – Northampton Town – 194 games (35 goals)
2014 → Southend United (loan) – 2 games (0 goals)
2019–2021 – Burton Albion – 56 games (1 goal)
2021–2024 – Mansfield Town – 58 games (3 goals)
2024–2025 – AFC Wimbledon – 24 games (1 goal)
International career
2007–2011 – Republic of Ireland U21 5 games (1 goals)
Honours
Northampton Town
Football League Two: 2015–16
Individual
EFL League One Player of the Month: January 2018
Northampton Town Player of the Year: 2015–16
PFA Team of the Year: 2013–14 League Two, 2015–16 League Two
Social media users gave their reaction as AFC Rushden & Diamonds beat higher division clubs to sign the experienced former EFL player…
@georgeadders26: Class this
@Walter15J: WOW!! Buzzing for this!! 💎💎💎
@theortoncobbler: Congrats AFCRD… quality player 👏👏👏
@_AlexCameron: Oh yeahhhh 😍💎 what a signing ✍️
@j0sephmcc0rmack: What a career. What a signing! 🔥 Welcome to the Diamonds, John-Joe. 💎
@AJBarrie: Goosebumps! 😍 Letsss goooo @johnjoeotoole 💎💙
@TeynHub: What a signing this is for Rushden & Diamonds… Former #ntfc legend JJOT!
@RushdenExiles: Genuinely incredible! Full credit to everyone involved in making this happen 💎
@perks_8: Absolutely love him. One of my all time favourite players. “We’ve got O’Toole”
@Toby_Jugs: Good luck @johnjoeotoole
@markgibbs74: Class this is 💎⚽ Well done to all involved 💪🏻 #JJOT
@rushdenlad: Things you love to see. Got yourself a cracking player there, gives everything, wants to do well, and hopefully that experience and knowledge can help the younger lads better and go further in their careers.
@notaboutcards: Wow wow wow 🤩 this is incredible
@EllieLee1451294: Welcome to our best club for Diamonds JJ you will love us
@originalbanny: Bloody hell.. great signing… odds on him getting booked first game though 😂
@SimplyOToole: Half a season to get fit again, then 1 last season for us in the championship next season. A perfect ending 🥲
@ollieconopo16: Iconic. Welcome back to the shire JJOT
@soulvitmatt: Fantastic. Still lives in the area… All the best at Diamonds JJ
Steven Greenwell: He was great for the cobblers! Hope he does you well
George Joseph Richardson: One of my favourite ever cobblers players! Great signing ✍️
Karl Allen: Daniel Butcher fair enough I support rushden and diamonds now 🤷🏻♂️🤣
Simon Englefield: Leadership, and experience just what we need 👍🏻
Anthony Bathurst: Sure i am reading this wrong, complete shock and a great signing
Kevin Ellis: Mark Johnson i need to get to a game and get a cobblers shirt signed
Lynne Fulcher: Might be up Diamonds with Cobblers shirt on
James Loe: Good luck to him and the diamonds
Jason Lee: superb signing this, really refreshing also to see former professional footballers drop down to non league, playing for the love of the game and not for the money. wishing him and afc rushden all the best, would be so good to see them gradually climb the leagues again. always liked the club
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