Wrexham and Stockport County swoop to sign Championship and League One players in what has been a busy day for both sides.
The Welsh outfit currently sit 4th in the National League, looking set for another playoff battle, while the Hatters are 10 points clear at the top and on the verge of going up unless they bottle it.
To strengthen both their promotion bids, they have took advantage of the transfer window closing, bringing in players who have a wealth of experience in the EFL.
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STOCKPORT STATEMENT:
We are delighted to announce the signing of midfielder Andy Cannon on loan for the remainder of the season from Championship side Hull City.
The 26-year-old has made ten appearances in the Championship for The Tigers this season after joining in the Summer from Portsmouth, scoring on his debut in a 4-1 win away at Preston North End on the opening day of the season.
Ashton-born Andy actually began his career at County in the Academy as far back as 2003, spending seven years here between the ages of 8-15, before having to leave when the Academy was closed due to the club entering administration.
He went on to make a name for himself at Rochdale in League One, making his debut for the Club in 2014 as a substitute against Leyton Orient. He went on to make over 100 appearances during his time at Spotland, where the highlight of his time there saw him named Man of the Match in a 2-2 draw with Tottenham in the FA Cup.
In 2019, Andy left Rochdale to sign for Portsmouth, making 29 appearances in his first season at South Coast club and helping them reach the play-off places.
He made a further 49 appearances in all competitions last season as the side finished eighth, with his performances in midfield doing enough to earn him a move to Hull following their League One title win.
Andy trained for the first time with his new teammates earlier today, and will be available for this weekend’s National League game away at Eastleigh.
Director of Football Simon Wilson said: ‘Andy is a player from the local area who knows already what this club is all about, and the journey that we’re on right now, and I’d like to welcome him to the Club. His addition will add further depth and quality to our first-team squad for the season run-in, as we look to secure promotion to the Football League.’
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WREXHAM STATEMENT:
We are pleased to announce the signing of Irish striker Courtney Duffus on loan for the remainder of the season.
The 26-year-old joins on loan from League One Morecambe, having signed for the Shrimpers last Summer following previous spells in the National League with Yeovil and Bromley.
Courtney originally came through the academy ranks at Cheltenham Town, before moving to Everton at the age of just 16 alongside his brother Tyrone. He spent the final few years of his development impressing for their reserve side, helping them to win the Premier League U23s title, whilst also spending a short time on loan at Bury.
Since leaving Goodison Park in 2017 in search of first-team football, the former Republic of Ireland U21 international spent time at Oldham before joining League of Ireland Premier Division side Waterford on loan, where he went on to score 10 goals in 25 appearances.
In January 2019, Duffus signed for then League Two side Yeovil Town on a two-and-a-half year deal, and scored 16 goals in his first full season at Huish Park to help the Somerset side reach the National League play-off places – including one against County in a 1-1 draw in August 2019.
After a brief spell at Bromley last season, where he scored five goals in 18 appearances, Courtney was picked up by Morecambe, with their management team describing him as an “exciting forward with a lot of pace that can cause defenders problems.”
Director of Football Simon Wilson said: “Courtney is an athletic forward player who has strong pedigree in the National League from his time at Yeovil and Bromley. He will add excellent competition and depth to the squad, as we now approach the final run in.’
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Wrexham AFC are delighted to announce the arrival of experienced goalkeeper, Lee Camp, on a short-term deal.
The 37-year-old shot-stopper joins the Club until the end of the season, and is a welcome addition to Phil Parkinson’s squad following the recent injury to first-choice keeper Rob Lainton which has ruled him out of the remainder of the season.
Camp brings a wealth of experience to the Racecourse Ground, having played in the Premier League, Championship and League One since first breaking through at Derby County in the early 2000s.
Capped for Northern Ireland on nine occasions, he has won promotions at Club level with Queens Park Rangers and AFC Bournemouth, and was named Player of the Season at both Nottingham Forest and Rotherham United in 2009/10 and 2015/16 respectively.
Camp most recently played for Swindon Town in the latter stages of the 2020/21 campaign. He will wear the number 23 shirt during his time in North Wales.
On signing for Wrexham, the goalkeeper said: “It’s exciting. Since finishing at the end of last season, there have been opportunities to get back in but nothing that has taken my fancy.
“You can get to a stage in your career where you just sort of plod along but I’ve never been that person. I’ve always wanted to be involved in stuff, add value and contribute, and be a part of something.
“Rob’s misfortune is why I’m here but to come to a Football Club with aspirations to get back into the EFL, and the excitement and the opportunity to be part of a promotion challenge and a semi-final in the FA Trophy next week… it’s exciting, it’s something you can get your teeth into and it gives you a buzz to get out of bed.
“I’m thankful and grateful for the opportunity. I’ve kept myself in shape and I feel within a couple of days I’ll be sharp and ready to contribute.”
Manager Phil Parkinson added: “I’m delighted to welcome Lee to the Club. It was important with the unfortunate injury to Rob Lainton that we brought another experienced goalkeeper in.
“He’s a keeper Lee Butler and I have known well over the years and he’ll be a strong addition to the squad going forward.”
All at Wrexham AFC would like to extend a warm welcome to Lee and his family.
Twitter users reacted as Wrexham and Stockport County swoop to sign Championship and League One players…
@craigyjones17 (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): Fantastic signing. Was Birmingham’s first choice keeper in the Championship from 2018-20 and comes with bags of experience. Welcome aboard Lee!
@andythewxmfan (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): Bit of an astute signing this, be interesting to see if he replaces lainton as number 1 or he sticks with dibble
@wrexhameire (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): Great signing. Club sees a problem and straight away goes to rectify it. 💪🏼💪🏼
@WrexhamCanada (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): Key signing in such a vital area; good player to have in your pocket just in case.
@gazwiliams (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): Belter of a signing 👐
@Zigiccccc (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): The best time waster your club will ever see😍 what a legend
@DecDavis_ (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): This is why Wrexham are Wales’ biggest club 👏🏻 good luck Campy, cult hero down the Blues
@BCFCWalshy (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): What a signing
@barlow1981: Announce promotion! #WxmAFC
@DJbcfc: In the middle of our goal Lee camp 🎶
@JustinSomers7 (Replying to @Wrexham_AFC): Good luck lee, definitely joined an upcoming team here who are on the rise KRO 💙
@ooshimadeafunny: Look after him. #bcfc #kro
@elishalouise1x: camp mcfazdean and parky in charge, that tastes like promotion that. my good lord
@ST_1982 (Replying to @StockportCounty): Might as well start preparing for league one lads.
@pfcdave1898 (Replying to @StockportCounty): You’ve got a fantastic signing there lads, good player and a hard worker, will smash it in the national league!
@DaveLong79 (Replying to @StockportCounty): Welcome, Andy 👍🎩
@rik_may (Replying to @StockportCounty): Great player from a pompey fan was good for us combative intelligent player and a shot on him as well.
@LouisAllen_1 (Replying to @StockportCounty): Wow. A player I’d probably take back at Pompey, solid league 1 level. Divide from the money at the top and bottom of the NL is ridiculous
@NottsCounty101 (Replying to @StockportCounty): Fucking hell, Jesus Christ. What a signing
@JamieReding1: Welcome @courtneyduffus. Great to have you join us. This is some club that you’re joining pal
@cameron_henrys: Ur just taking the piss now you’ve already won the league lads come on
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