This preseason has been a record breaking summer, as we have never seen as many players transfer from National League clubs to Football League clubs in the past 3 months than ever before.
Over 20 players have taken a step up into the EFL for the upcoming season from their now old National League sides in what is a record breaking summer of transfers and what a summer it has been with record breaking weather and a World Cup to remember, summer 2018 has had it all. Lets take a look through the players that have swapped shirts and leagues so far.. who knows there maybe more before the season starts
Jonny Smith – AFC Fylde to Tranmere
Joining the Super White Army this summer after impressing on loan at AFC Fylde last season is Jonny Smith who has been sent back out on loan from Bristol City to continue his development at Tranmere Rovers.
Sam Finley – AFC Fylde to Accrington
Signing a two-year-deal at now League One side Accrington Stanley is Coasters captain last season Sam Finley. Helping achieve a play off position last season Finley left in what will be his first ever season at a football league club.
Emmanuel Oyeleke – Aldershot to Port Vale
Joining the Valliants is midfielder Emmanuel Oyeleke who hopes to improve Port Vales poor league finish last year and push for promotion something he came close to with Aldershot last season.
Miles Welch-Hayes – Bath City to Macclesfield
Not many players make the step up from National League to Football League but Miles Welch-Hayes has impressed newly promoted Macclesfied Town as the Bath City player jumps up two leagues from the National League South to the Silkmen.
Bruno Andrade – Borehamwood to Lincoln
Having come second best in the race for promotion in the play offs last season it was always going to be a struggle for Boreham Wood to keep ahold of its best players and with all the speculation and interest surrounding the talented creative midfielder Bruno Andrade, it was the Imps who won the race to get Bruno’s signature.
Grant Smith – Boreham Wood to Lincoln
Also following Andrade to Lincoln City this summer is The Wood’s goalkeeper Grant Smith, who had an excellent season only conceding 47 goals the fourth lowest in the league.
Josh Rees – Bromley to Gillingham
Josh Rees signs for the Gills from fellow London side Bromley, in what will be Rees’ first ever season in the Football League.
Louis Dennis – Bromley to Portsmouth
After 4 years absent from the playing in the Football League Louis Dennis looks to make a good impression in his new adventure at Fratton Park.
Jordan Archer – Chester to Bury
24 year old Jordan Archer signs a two-year contract at Gigg Lane from Chester after their relegation to the National League North, this will be Archer’s second league jump in as many seasons, lets see if he can impress goal scoring veteran striker Ryan Lowe now Bury boss.
Tom Crawford – Chester to Notts County
Chester lose another key player to a football league club although their relegation this season clubs from afar have saw quality in this side. Tom Crawford being next to leave the Deva for Meadow Lane.
Mason Bloomfield – Dagenham & Redbridge to Norwich
Mason Bloomfield is highly rated by the Canaries and one for the future, as he has immediately gone out on loan to Hamilton Academical of the SPL.
Fejiri Okenabirhie – Dagenham & Redbridge to Shrewsbury
John Aksey the new boss at Shrewsbury made striker Fejiri Okenabirhie one of his first signings.
Mitch Pinnock – Dover to AFC Wimbledon
The England C international has moved to the League One side on a free transfer, but a tribunal fee is to be agreed in the future.
Theo Vassell – Gateshead to Port Vale
Neil Aspin has been busy in the transfer market this season as he hopes to improve on last seasons relegation battle and signs Theo Vassell from Gateshead, who joins his old manager after leaving the Tyneside club.
James Montgomery – Gateshead to Forest Green
After his contract expired the keeper makes the move to the former National League side Forest Green.
Rhys Oates – Hartlepool to Morecambe
Making nine appearances for Barnsley back in 2015, the 23-year old will be looking forward to playing in the Football League again.
Jake Caprice – Leyton Orient to Tranmere Rovers
After five years in Non- League football Jake Caprice makes a move up north to the Wirral to play for Tranmere Rovers in their first season back in the Football League after a three year absence.
Harry Pritchard – Maidenhead to Blackpool
After a successful spell at Maidenhead helping the club win promotion to the National League, the winger now moves on to the football league with the League One club Blackpool.
Sam Barratt – Maidenhead to Southend
The 22-year old believes that he has got his “dream” to move into the Football League, after signing for an undisclosed fee to Southend United.
Michael Nottingham – Salford City to Blackpool
After a winning the league last season Michael Nottingham jumped at the chance to be playing League One football next season with Blackpool it was a no brainer for the 29-year old.
Jason Oswell – Stockport County to Morecambe
The Shrimps hope Oswell can keep his fine form after netting 29 goals last season for National League North side Stockport County. Oswell moves to the west coast with a two-year deal with the League Two outfit.
Louis John – Sutton United to Cambridge
Swaping United for United is Louis John, the England C international made 117 appearances for the National League side Sutton and after failing short on promotion joins Cambridge United.
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