Top 3 League One Transfers Of The Window

1. (John Akinde – Gillingham)

Gillingham currently sit 12th in The League One table, 8 points short of the play-off places. The signing of 30 year-old striker John Akinde offers some hope for The Gills that they could still win promotion yet.

Akinde began his career at non-league club Gravesend & Northfleet and moved on to Ebbsfleet United in 2007. It was it form here which caused a stir amongst the professional leagues. Scoring 15 times between the years of 2007 and 2008 at both Ebbsfleet & Whitstable Town earnt Akinde a contract at Bristol City.

The Striker’s career stalled for a long time after this move, with the exception of a successful loan at Wycombe Wanderers in League Two.

Impressive goalscoring form at Barnet made him noticed again, across four seasons he scored 90 times in all competitions. In 2018 league Two Lincoln City snapped him up where performed admirably for The Imps, earning promotion to League One.

With such an impressive ratio of goalscoring over the past 7 seasons, Akinde could give Gillingham a timely boost. He assisted on his debut vs Rochdale, manager Steve Evans will hope this form continues until the end of the season.

2. (James Vaughan – Tranmere Rovers)

Tranmere Rovers are in danger of being relegated to League Two on their first season back in League One. The loan signing of striker James Vaughan offers some hope yet.

The 31 year-old began his career with Everton and was filled with potential. He was one of the fastest players in the academy yet never made the grade at Premier League level. That said, he still scored 7 Premier League goals for the Toffees.

A successful loan spell at Huddersfield Town in 2012 earnt Vaughan a 3 year contract at the Kirklees Stadium for an undisclosed fee. The striker totalled 33 goals in 95 games for them and then moved on to Birmingham City which turned out to be a disaster.

A move to League One Bury in 2016 confirmed Vaughan’s level as he netted 24 times in 40 appearances, becoming a fans favourite.

It wasn’t until 2019 that Vaughan properly re-discovered his form as he has scored 11 times already this season for Bradford in League Two. Micky Mellon noticed the goalscoring potential for his side and snapped up the striker on deadline day.

If The Rovers are to make up the 6 point deficit to survive this season, placing it in the hands of experienced Vaughan could well prove to be risky. However the striker’s form at Bury 4 years ago in this division will offer hope to Prenton Park. If he keeps scoring this season, it could be the signing of the window.

3. (Glenn Whelan – Fleetwood Town)

Fleetwood Town have the chance of making the play-offs in League One this season. They currently trial 6th-placed Portsmouth by 5 points & the signing of veteran midfielder Glenn Whelan adds much needed experience to their promotion fight.

The 36 year-old Republic of Ireland international began his career at Manchester City, he made no professional appearance for the club. in 2004 Sheffield Wednesday signed the defensive midfielder on a free transfer. He went on to make 142 league appearances for the club scoring 12 times.

In January 2008 Whelan signed for Championship side Stoke City. He signed a 3 and a half year contract with The Potters initially and a deal worth 500,000. At the end of his first season he won promotion to The Premier League after Stoke finished 2nd under the management of Tony Pulis.

Whelan remained at Stoke City throughout their Premier League years making 338 appearances in all competitions. He scored 8 times in this period, moving to Aston Villa in 2016 where he played 73 times across 2 seasons in The Championship.

Despite Whelan’s best years being behind him, he has an impressive CV filled with Premier League, Championship and Scottish Premier League football. The Cod Army are in need of reinforcements to make a serious claim for the play-offs. Whelan has done it all before and knows exactly what’s needed of the side led by manager Joey Barton. Making 17 appearances for Hearts already this season, Whelan shows he still has more in the tank and his experience could make Fleetwood more level-headed going in to the final matches of the season.