Carlisle United’s rivals in League Two have also been busy in the market this summer.
What are the most notable signings in the division so far among the other 23 clubs?
Here are ten that have caught our eyes…
PADDY MADDEN – Chesterfield
A familiar face at this level – and to many lower-league defences. Madden, whose spell in English football began with Carlisle United, is now with the newly-promoted Spireites after an influential spell with Stockport County. Now 34, but his 22-goal return last season suggests he’ll be the ideal man to help Paul Cook’s side acclimatise and keep rising.
Paddy Madden (Image: PA)
LYLE TAYLOR – Colchester United
This has been a summer of experienced strikers moving, and Taylor to Colchester is an eyecatching one. The 34-year-old gave Carlisle some uncomfortable moments with Cambridge United last term, and he will give the U’s a canny edge in attack under a manager in Danny Cowley who ought to give Colchester more bite in general.
Lyle Taylor (Image: PA)
BILLY SHARP – Doncaster Rovers
Perhaps the highest-profile name to join the fourth tier this summer, Sharp is now 38 as he prepares for another stint with Donny, having previously been with Hull City and LA Galaxy. Doncaster look good shouts to be in the promotion race and the wiles of Sharp, if he stays the course, could make him a headline figure.
Billy Sharp (Image: PA)
TOMMY LEIGH – MK Dons
MK Dons’ recruitment has been on the front-foot this summer after last season’s play-off failure, and Accrington Stanley midfielder was a sought-after player following his displays in Lancashire. The 24-year-old scored 28 goals in his three seasons with Accy, and should be a dynamic influence at Stadium MK.
Tommy Leigh (Image: PA)
RUARI PATON – Port Vale
A name on English scouts’ lists for some time, Paton is now south of the border after Port Vale took the plunge this summer amid some forceful recruitment in general. The Irish forward was prolific for Queen’s Park, having previously impressed for Queen of the South – now it’s down to the 23-year-old to live up to some of the hype.
Ruari Paton, left (Image: PA)
COLE STOCKTON – Salford City
Like Madden, a striker who has scored plenty of goals in his lower-league time…just not with Carlisle. His 2017/18 spell with the Blues is best forgotten but Stockton went on to be prolific for Morecambe. After time with Burton Albion, and a loan at Barrow, the well-travelled frontman brings plenty of frontline experience to Karl Robinson’s side at the Peninsula Stadium.
Cole Stockton, left (Image: PA)
JOE PIGOTT – AFC Wimbledon
The most consistent goalscoring spell of Pigott’s career came with Wimbledon between 2018 and 2021 and now he’s back in south London, after a recent stint with Leyton Orient. The 30-year-old may not have been prolific since he was last with the Dons, but the tall striker’s movement and awareness will surely add some know-how to Johnnie Jackson’s men.
Joe Pigott, left (Image: PA)
CONNOR MAHONEY – Barrow
The south Cumbrians have picked up 27-year-old Mahoney from Huddersfield and the winger should be a more than capable operator at this level. He made his initial name at Blackburn and also clocked up plenty of games with Millwall an Birmingham City, before spending last season with Gillingham, where his figures suggest he’ll be an interesting replacement for Ben Whitfield at Holker Street.
Connor Mahoney (Image: PA)
ANTONI SARCEVIC – Bradford City
Bradford’s latest attempt to escape League Two now involves the influential figure of Sarcevic, who helped Stockport go up last season, a year after he was on the losing play-off side against Carlisle at Wembley. Sarcevic has tasted plenty of success in his career, with clubs such as Bolton Wanderers, Fleetwood Town and Plymouth Argyle, and certainly knows the route.
Antoni Sarcevic (Image: PA)
CHEY DUNKLEY – Chesterfield
The title favourites have strengthened at front and back and the acquisition of Dunkley brings a League One-calibre central defender to Paul Cook’s side. Having left Shrewsbury to join the Spireites, he will provide considerable strength to the new boys’ spine, and it is hard to see Chesterfield struggling with such players to call upon.
Chey Dunkley (Image: PA)
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