Harrogate Town

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Harrogate Town have signed Saint Kitts and Nevis international Ethan Bristow on an undisclosed contract as they bid to return to the EFL at the first time of asking.

The 24-year-old, who was released by Tranmere Rovers at the end of last season, will fill the left wing-back role for the club, who begin life in the National League against Solihull Moors today.

"I'm looking forward to trying to help the club get back to League Two," Bristow told the club website., external

"The manager (Simon Weaver) has a clear idea of what he wants to do and where he wants to take this team."

Bristow began his career at Reading and had spells at Tranmere Rovers, Minnesota United and Stockport County before returning to Tranmere in the summer of 2025.

"He's quick, athletic and got a good energy about him. He's played at a good level so we think he'll be a good fit for us," said Harrogate's head of recruitment Lloyd Kerry.

"It was important to fill this position, we've been trying hard all summer so we're delighted to have got this deal done."

Harrogate Town have signed Worthing striker Brad Dolaghan for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old scored 23 goals in 40 league games in 2025-26 as Worthing won promotion to the National League.

He could make his debut for Simon Weaver's men in Saturday's season-opener against Solihull Moors.

Harrogate Town have signed Halifax Town midfielder Josh Hmami for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old scored 12 goals in 42 National League appearances for the Shaymen last season after joining from King's Lynn Town.

He could make his debut for the Sulpherites at home to Solihull Moors in their National League opener on Saturday.

"He's an ambitious lad and fits the profile we are looking for in that position, we hope he can bring goals like he did last season," head of player recruitment Lloyd Kerry told the club website., external

Harrogate have not confirmed the length of Hmami's contract.

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Oldham Athletic have signed Tom Hill after his exit from Harrogate Town as well as bringing back fellow midfielder Kai Payne for a third loan spell from Wigan.

Hill, 23, has been on trial with the Latics having initially been invited to train with Harrogate, external during pre-season.

A former Wales Under-21 international who came through Liverpool's academy, Hill scored for Oldham during their 4-0 pre-season friendly win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend.

"Everything has been promising during pre-season and scoring last week was a special moment - hopefully it's the first of many good memories here," Hill told the club website., external

"I'm excited for the season ahead and can't wait to pull on the shirt competitively."

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Payne returns having made 35 appearances for Oldham last season as well as five appearances during his previous loan stint in 2024-25.

Boss Micky Mellon said of Payne: "Kai has been excellent for us in every spell here and we're delighted to have him back.

"He's a player who understands what we're about, knows the standards we expect and fits perfectly into the way we want to play."

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Harrogate Town have signed Middlesbrough defender Archie Baptiste for an undisclosed fee on a two-year deal.

The 20-year-old joined Boro last June after coming through Tottenham's academy and made one Championship appearance.

He ended the season on loan with Rochdale but did not feature for them.

"He's eager to get that opportunity to play men's football and both parties feel it's a good fit, so hopefully he can progress and do well for himself," head of player recruitment Lloyd Kerry told the club website., external

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Tranmere Rovers have signed defender Bobby Faulkner on a season-long loan deal from Doncaster Rovers.

Faulkner, 21, spent last season on loan at Harrogate Town with new Tranmere team-mate Jacob Slater and has made 86 career appearances.

Faulkner, who has also had loans with Buxton, Dundalk and Spennymoor, told the club website:, external "It's been really good to come in to meet all the lads and the staff.

"It's always better when you know players at a club and it's really good to see Jacob Slater again."

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Hartlepool United have brought in defender Liam Gibson following the expiry of his contract with Harrogate Town.

Gibson has signed a one-year deal at Victoria Park after three seasons with the Sulphurites, with his new club holding the option of an extra year.

The County Durham-born defender, 29, was on the books at Newcastle United as a youngster.

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Harrogate Town have signed former Morecambe right-back Lewis Payne.

The 22-year-old, who started his career with Southampton, scored four goals in 33 National League appearances for the Shrimps last season.

"We've chased Lewis Payne the whole summer. He's a right-sider that we feel can add quality and expertise in a specialist position," boss Simon Weaver told the club website., external

Town have not disclosed the length of deal he has signed.

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Harrogate Town midfielder George Thomson has signed a new one-year deal.

The 34-year-old's new contract will see him complete a 10th season with the club.

He has made 335 appearances for the Sulphurites and helped them win promotion from National League North up to League Two.

"Obviously the club means a great deal to me. You don't spend this long somewhere and don't care about it," he told the club website., external

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Experienced goalkeeper Rory Watson has agreed a one-year deal to become Harrogate Town's fifth summer signing.

The 30-year-old, who began his professional career with Hull, was a free agent after leaving National League champions York City at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

"I'm ecstatic," he told the club's website, external. "I've been a part of successful teams in the past and looking at the squad being built here, I think this can be a real success as well."

Watson has previously had three separate spells at Scunthorpe United, where he spent part of last season on loan, as well as stints with Wrexham, Doncaster Rovers and North Ferriby United.

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Harrogate Town midfielder Lucas Barnes has signed a new one-year contract.

The 19-year-old came through the Sulphurites academy and made his first team debut on the final day of the 2024-25 season against Morecambe in League Two.

He signed his first professional contract with the club in the summer of 2025 and made one substitute league appearance last season.

"We think he can push the more experienced players and really stake a claim for a shirt," said Harrogate's head of player recruitment Lloyd Kerry.

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Woking have signed former England youth defender Zico Asare on a two-year deal from Harrogate Town.

The 25-year-old, who represented England at under-15 and under-16 level, spent the past two seasons in League Two with Harrogate, who were relegated to the National League.

He began his career at Fulham and had spells at Oxford City and Maidenhead United before he joined Harrogate in 2024.

Woking director of football Jody Brown told the club website, external: "He brings a great deal of EFL and NL experience.

"He still has potential to improve, but already he has many of the qualities we want from our full-backs.

"I coached against him a few times and saw the problems he caused us, and how he dealt with our play. He always impressed me."