Richard Day rounds up the latest transfer moves in our division
So the transfer window finally slammed shut at 11pm last night and a number of League Two managers have been busy around the country over the last few days.Of course here at MEMS Priestfield Stadium yesterday, Martin Allen tied up central defender Leon Legge on a permanent deal, signed Huddersfield Town midfielder Anton Robinson on loan and saw striker Ben Strevens depart for Dagenham.
One of the busiest managers was Leam Richardson at Accrington Stanley who brought in goalkeeper Paul Rachubka, defender Tom Aldred and midfielder Mark Hughes. Rachubka and Hughes have moved on loan until the summer from Leeds United and Bury respectively while Aldred came in following his release by Colchester United. Meanwhile full-back Nicky Hunt has extended his loan spell from Rotherham for the remainder of the season.
AFC Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley was also a busy man. Having already signed midfielder Harry Pell from Blue Square Premier Hereford United for an undisclosed fee he has added Gary Alexander and Kevin Sainte-Luce to his options at Kingsmeadow. The experienced Alexander arrives from League One Crawley Town on loan until the summer while French winger Sainte-Luce comes in after Cardiff City terminated his contract. Veteran keeper Neil Sullivan (Doncaster Rovers) and Jonathon Meades (AFC Bournemouth) have also re-signed on loan for the rest of the season.
Shrewsbury Town midfielder Asa Hall has signed for Aldershot Town on loan until the end of the campaign having found his opportunities limited with the Shrews having signed from Oxford in May 2012.
On-loan Colchester midfielder John-Joe O’Toole has extended his spell at Bristol Rovers for another two months. The 24-year-old does however have a 24-hour release clause inserted by the U’s in his latest contract.
Alex McDonald and Michael Symes have both joined Burton Albion on loan deals while Manchester City winger Adam Drury has extended his. Leyton Orient striker Symes will remain at the Pirelli until the summer, as will Drury, while McDonald, a 22-year-old Burnley forward, has signed for a month.
There have been four new arrivals at Whaddon Road as Cheltenham Town boss Mark Yates strengthens his squad for the promotion run-in. Jason Taylor has swapped League Two promotion rivals after leaving Rotherham, the 26-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half year contract with the Robins. AFC Wimbledon striker Byron Harrison has signed a similar deal with the Gloucestershire outfit while Michael Hector and Paul Benson have come in on loan. Young Reading central defender Hector will stay for a month while the experienced Benson, now 33, has signed until the end of the season.
Dagenham & Redbridge have signed two new strikers with varying experience in the shape of Gianluca Gracco and Ben Strevens. 22-year-old Gracco has penned an 18-month deal after he had been at the club on non-contract terms, he had previously played for the now defunct Italian amateur side Citta Di Pompei in Naples. Strevens, who scored twice in 14 appearances for the Gills, meanwhile rejoins the Daggers on a deal until the end of the season with the possibility of that being extended in the summer.
Experienced Hull City midfielder Paul McKenna has joined Fleetwood Town on loan for the rest of the season.The 35-year-old’s move to Highbury reunites him with former Preston team-mate Graham Alexander now boss of the Cod Army. Depending on international clearance the club have also signed Reunion international forward Jean-Michel Fontaine following a trial.
Young Brentford midfielder Emmanuel Oyeleke has joined Northampton Town on a one-month loan. The 20-year-old, previously at Chelsea’s Academy, can also play at full-back. Striker Roy O'Donovan has also moved to Sixfields following his release by Coventry City having struggled for first-team opportunities at the Ricoh Arena.
Oxford United have signed Justin Richards on a permanent deal until the summer, the striker had previously been on loan from Burton. The U's have also taken Truro City keeper Luke McCormick until the end of the season.
Young Crystal Palace winger Jason Banton has joined Plymouth Argyle until March 2 but full-back Robbie Williams and striker Rhys Griffiths have left the club.
Steve Collis and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff have both signed for Keith Hill at Rochdale. Goalkeeper Collis, who has Football League experience despite most recently playing in the Northern Premier League at Buxton, has signed non-contract terms while Preston North End defender Cansdell-Sherriff has moved on loan for the remainder of the season.
Rotherham United have taken young Blackburn Rovers striker Jordan Slew on loan until March 5. The 20-year-old has also played for Sheffield United, where he started his career, and both Stevenage and Oldham on loan.
Southampton midfielder Ben Reeves has signed a one-month loan deal at Southend United. The 21-year-old, who has Premier League experience this season, progressed through the Saints youth set-up.
Finally York City manager Gary Mills has brought in two new faces over the last couple of days, Curtis Obeng and David McDaid. Full-back Obeng has moved from Premier League Swansea City on a one-month loan deal while McDaid has joined from Derry City for an undisclosed fee. The 22-year-old has signed an 18-month contract at Bootham Crescent.