A busy deadline day across Sky Bet League One saw clubs strengthen ahead of the run‑in, with several eye‑catching moves completed and squads reshaped for the final months of the campaign. Here is a round‑up:

Leyton Orient: Five new arrivals as captain Beckles departs

Leyton Orient were among the busiest clubs on deadline day, completing five signings while saying farewell to long-serving captain Omar Beckles.

Incomings:

James Morris (Watford) – permanent
Dylan Levitt (Hibernian) – permanent
Favour Fawunmi (Stoke City) – loan
Will Dennis (Bournemouth) – loan
Tobi Oluwayemi – free agent, short-term deal

Left-back Morris signs a two‑and‑a‑half‑year deal, while Wales midfielder Levitt arrives on a contract through to 2027 with an option.
Goalkeepers Dennis and Oluwayemi join after Orient endured a challenging month in that position.Boss Richie Wellens said Morris was a long-term target, while describing Fawunmi as a “direct, exciting” winger who adds new attacking variety.

Departures:

Omar Beckles – left by mutual consent, joined Gillingham
Jack Moorhouse – recalled by Manchester United

Beckles leaves after more than 200 appearances and as a key figure in Orient’s 2022–23 League Two title win.

Luton Town: Van den Berg and Sandal join Hatters’ rebuild

Luton strengthened their midfield with two additions:

Davy van den Berg (Utrecht) – loan
Sverre Sandal (KFUM Oslo) – permanent, undisclosed fee

Van den Berg, 25, adds Eredivisie and Europa League experience, while Norway midfielder Sandal joins after impressing in the Tippeligaen.

Luton also confirmed the release of midfielder Marvelous Nakamba, who has joined Sheffield Wednesday, and forwarded Jacob Brown departing to Portsmouth.

Plymouth Argyle: Harding and Kane arrive on loan

Plymouth added two experienced players:

Wes Harding (Millwall) – loan
Herbie Kane (Huddersfield) – loan

Harding provides defensive depth with the club managing injuries to Julio Pleguezuelo and Brendan Galloway.
Kane, now fully fit after a groin injury, bolsters midfield options with over 200 career appearances.

Head coach Tom Cleverley praised both players’ versatility and quality as Argyle look to climb the table.

Stockport County: Louie Barry returns

Stockport re-signed forward Louie Barry from Aston Villa for a third loan spell at Edgeley Park.

The 22-year-old scored 25 goals in 45 appearances across two previous spells.
Barry is recovering from knee surgery, and Stockport expect him to return to action around mid-March.

Boss Dave Challinor described the move as a “possibility signing” but stressed the “special connection” between Barry and the club.

Bolton Wanderers: Celtic striker Kenny arrives

Bolton added Republic of Ireland international Johnny Kenny from Celtic on loan until the end of the season.

Kenny, 22, nearly joined the Trotters last summer and arrives having scored six goals in 22 appearances this season for the Scottish champions.
Boss Steven Schumacher said Bolton “moved quickly” once Celtic agreed to release him on loan.

Wycombe Wanderers: Vidigal signs after trial

Wycombe added former Stoke winger Andre Vidigal on a permanent deal following a successful trial.

The Angola international scored seven goals in 43 appearances for Stoke and brings experience from Portugal, the Netherlands and England.

Wycombe hope his creativity helps their late push toward the play-off places.

Reading: Aston Villa winger Young added on loan

Reading signed Kadan Young on loan from Aston Villa until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has impressed in Europe, registering an assist in Villa’s recent Europa League win over RB Salzburg.

Leam Richardson praised Young’s pace, character and potential.

Lincoln City: Conteh signs, Jefferies extends

Lincoln strengthened their midfield with:

Kamil Conteh (Bristol Rovers) – loan
Dom Jefferies – contract extended to 2028

Conteh has made 34 appearances this season, while Jefferies’ extension follows his return from hip surgery and reflects the club’s long-term planning.

Northampton Town: Double Forest loan

Northampton added two Nottingham Forest youngsters:

Kyle McAdam – loan
Ben Hammond – loan

Both deals run until the end of the season as the Cobblers look to secure their League One status.

Boss Kevin Nolan highlighted McAdam’s versatility, while Hammond arrives with Wales U21 experience.

Port Vale: Andre Gray strengthens attack

Port Vale signed experienced striker Andre Gray on a deal to the end of the season.

Gray, 34, has scored over 150 senior goals and represented Jamaica 13 times.
He replaces outgoing forward Devante Cole, who moved to Luton last weekend.

Peterborough United: Mendy move made permanent

Peterborough turned defender Jacob Mendy’s loan into a permanent deal until the end of the season.

The former Wrexham full-back has been limited by injuries but is expected to return soon.
Posh also released goalkeepers Nicholas Bilokapic and Will Blackmore.

Bradford City: Wheatley & Evans arrive

Bradford strengthened both ends of the pitch:

Ethan Wheatley (Manchester United) – loan
Lee Evans (Blackpool) – permanent, undisclosed

Wheatley scored three goals on loan at Northampton earlier this season, while Evans adds experience and previously spent time with the Bantams in 2015–16.

Doncaster Rovers: Elliot Lee joins from Wrexham

Doncaster made a notable attacking addition by signing Elliot Lee on loan.

Lee, 31, played a huge role in Wrexham’s rise from the National League to the Championship but has made only three appearances this season.

Grant McCann called Lee a “top player at this level” who will add goals and intelligence in the final third.

Wigan Athletic: Hunt & Vickers sign

Wigan completed two deals:

Jack Hunt – free agent, permanent to season's end
Caylan Vickers (Brighton) – loan

Hunt brings 500+ games of experience, while Vickers offers attacking versatility after spells with Mansfield and Barnsley.

Burton Albion: Matthews‑Lewis joins

Burton signed forward Millar Matthews‑Lewis from Hemel Hempstead Town on a permanent deal.

The 21-year-old has impressed in the National League South, and Gary Bowyer highlighted his “potential to develop further”.

Mansfield Town: Roberts signs permanently, Abbott on loan

Mansfield completed two deals:

Tyler Roberts – permanent after ending Birmingham contract
George Abbott (Tottenham) – loan

Roberts arrives after recovering from injury, while Abbott, 20, offers energy in midfield after a strong spell in League One with Wycombe.

Sky Bet League One: January 2026 transfer deadline day round-up

Sky Bet League One: January 2026 transfer deadline day round-up