2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Bromley

Player Decisions

Retain

Grant Smith, Ashley Charles, Omar Sowunmi, Ben Thompson, Michael Cheek, Ethan Pinnock, Sam Long, Nicke Kabamba, Will Hondermarck, Jude Arthurs, Marcus Ifill, Idris Odutayo, Corey Whitely, Kyle Cameron, George Evans

Release

Carl Jenkinson, Marcus Dinanga, Brooklyn Ilunga, Alex Stepien-Iwumene, Byron Webster

Loan Out

George Evans

Loan End

Zach Medley, Jesse Debrah, Ben Krauhaus, Damola Ajayi, Lakyle Samuel

Retained Squad

New Signings

Joseph Wheeler-Henry (Chelsea – fee)

I have been impressed by the development in Marcus Ifill’s game this year, and the way in which the 22-year-old has gained that maturity and intelligence in platforming his qualities effectively. However, as they make the step up, I think that they could do with adding some competition. 

One player that I would look at as an option to provide that is youngster Joseph Wheeler-Henry. The youngster is currently on loan at Premier League Brentford from fellow top flight outfit Chelsea, and has been playing this season in the academy with The Bees. I am not expecting The Ravens to spend much in the way of transfer fees during the summer and will again be one of the more moderate budgets in the league, but I do think that they could well invest in a young player like Wheeler-Henry as a bit of a long-term project.

Andy Woodman has already managed to take two players out of academy football in Marcus Ifill (Brighton and Hove Albion) and Idris Odutayo (Fulham), and they have developed nicely in their time at Hayes Lane. They can potentially use the success of the young pair to sell Bromley as a destination for Wheeler-Henry in which to get the chance to play first-team, professional football and under a coach that has a proven track record for player development. 

In terms of his profile, Wheeler-Henry is a quick, powerful and ball-playing defender that is capable of playing as a full-back or as a centre-back. His greatest strength is in utilising his physicality to progress the ball from deep. Pace to get up in support of attacking phases. The athleticism to handle transitions and in attacking space. He is comfortable defending wide spaces. 

I think that he represents a really nice blend of attributes for The Ravens. I envisage that we may see them utilise more of a back three at times next year, even despite having used predominantly a four this term. Having defenders that can play in a back three is key. Wheeler-Henry is a good fit for playing on the right of that three, and with his technical quality on the ball and speed then I feel he can be a real asset. 

He has just a year left on his deal with Chelsea, but I think the chances of him getting the opportunities and exposure to first-team football that he needs for the sake of his development are low. As such, he may well entertain the opportunity to go and find a new permanent home in which to play his football. If they can strike the right fee, The Ravens would be well-advised to go in for his signature.

Nesta Guinness-Walker (Northampton Town – free)

Having watched Northampton Town a couple of times this season, one player who – despite their struggles – has impressed me is Nesta Guinness-Walker. Out of contract at the end of the campaign, I think it is unlikely he will be retained by way of their relegation. However, given that they can give him League One football, I feel that he would represent a good option for The Ravens.

While Idris Odutayo has continued to develop nicely for Bromley, I do think that left-back is an area in which they can improve going into 2026-27. Some competition would be useful. A player ideally with experience of playing in League One. In this regard, Guinness-Walker provides the requisite ticks in the box. 

In terms of the skillsets that I would typically look for in a full-back, I think that Guinness-Walker is ideal. He is a good athlete, powerful runner, is always looking to get up in support of the attacking play as an option on the overlap and the engine and athleticism to attack space. 

One of the other advantages of Guinness-Walker signing for The Ravens is that he has played alongside left winger Mitch Pinnock at both AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town, and so has already got that relationship down the left-hand side that he can draw upon. That familiarity in combinations. One of Bromley’s real strengths is their ability to play as a team and the relationships that they have on the pitch, and so signing a player that is already appreciative of the way that Pinnock plays and the types of runs that he likes to make is hugely advantageous. 

At 26 years of age, Guinness-Walker is really coming into the perceived prime years of his career. As an option to complement Odutayo, I think that he would represent clever business. From a coaching point of view, he already knows how to play off the left with Pinnock having done so at two clubs and that prior knowledge would enable him to make a seamless transition into this Bromley side.

Zach Mitchell (Charlton Athletic – fee)

The first centre-back that I have picked out as Bromley needing to sign during the summer is youngster Zach Mitchell. In hindsight, this is one that I have recommended as an option for The Ravens previously given that he was born in Bromley, but more importantly a good player with a bright future and that Andy Woodman will no doubt relish working with. 

Mitchell is 21 years of age, and enjoyed a brief loan spell with Hibernian during the 2025-26 campaign. Ideally, he needs to find an opportunity in which to go out and play games, continue his development and get that pressurised environment that he perhaps wouldn’t get playing academy football. 

As a player, Mitchell represents a nice profile for a centre-back. A physically imposing, industrious, athletic player that has a lovely confidence in playing out and in stepping into midfield. A lot of Bromley’s build up has been going direct in the initial instance, but having that player with a little more technical composure and the ability to carry gives them another element to their side.

I think that Mitchell is a player that I have picked out previously as a potential target for The Ravens to sign, with the adage that he is originally from Bromley and so signing for Andy Woodman’s side would tick the locality box. The Ravens have done well out of signing a young, up-and-coming, Charlton Athletic defender before with Deji Elerewe while they were in the National League, and so Mitchell would represent another sensible piece of business in my opinion. 

With Charlton Athletic looking to sign a profile of player that is going to allow them to go and be competitive at the top end of the Championship going forward, I think that Mitchell may well be one that is deemed surplus to requirements and one that The Addicks would entertain offers for if they received them. I don’t think that he would represent all that expensive a fee, and if they could get him for the right price then I think it is a no brainer.

Dan Happe (Leyton Orient – free)

The second centre-back that I would be looking at if I were The Ravens is Leyton Orient’s Dan Happe. 

The way that The Ravens set-up is such that there is very little responsibility on the centre-backs progressing the ball through midfield and playing out, and so has typically favoured a more no-nonsense type. An imposing figure standing at 6ft 5in, Happe is the type of defender that is aggressive in wanting to go and win the ball. Good in the air. Fairly industrious. 

While he has played for The Ravens this term, I do think that Kyle Cameron will potentially play less minutes for them next season as they make the step up into League One and so signing a player that can slot into that back line in his place or provide suitable competition is important. Happe represents a nice profile for a centre-back given that he is the size and stature that he is and yet is a left-footer and provides that natural balance. 

At Leyton Orient, Richie Wellens likes to have a side who are comfortable on the ball and proficient in playing out and this is where Dan Happe has potentially come up a little bit short and as a result of that I think that he will be let go during the summer. However, in an Andy Woodman where there is little responsibility in playing out from the back, I feel that he would be a good stylistic fit. 

Fundamentally, Happe has played for the last few years in League One and so represents a fairly reliable operator at the level that will not be phased by the step-up with The Ravens. He knows the league. He has amassed around 250 games in a Leyton Orient shirt. Part of their promotion winning side in League Two. A good professional and good character. He ticks a number of the boxes that I would look for. If they can get him, it would be a good capture.

Cameron McGeehan (Northampton Town – free)

One profile that I think The Ravens should try and add to their midfield going into League One is more of a goal-scoring threat from deep. Andy Woodman has built a side that is physically competent and are strong in duels, yet they perhaps lack that profile of player that can break from deep, get into the box with intelligent runs and score goals. 

Former Hatter Cameron McGeehan is the second player on this list that I have highlighted as a suitable candidate having finished the 2025-26 campaign with Northampton Town, and with the midfielder out of contract this summer then I think he represents a smart piece of business. 

He is perhaps more so at the other end of the age spectrum to the targets that Andy Woodman typically signs. However, I think that there has to be a degree of revisionism in their approach and adapting their philosophy slightly, and adding a few experienced players who know the league and have an appreciation for League One can only be beneficial in allowing The Ravens to adapt to the third tier themselves. 

As a profile, I think that McGeehan is perfect. He still has that athleticism, running power and stamina to be an up-and-down box-to-box midfielder, but has got the underlying technical quality to provide a delicate weight of pass in the final third. An eye for a goal. A good shooter from distance. Personally, I feel that McGeehan is better playing in that slightly more advanced role where he can arrive onto the play in dropping onto knock downs, and in using his physicality to drive to the edge of the box. 

If they also manage to get this deal across the line, they are definitely not going to be ‘flavour of the month’ with Cobblers’ fans. He has played four different sides in League One, and so represents a fairly reliable pair of hands. He is 31 years of age, come out of some good academy set-ups into the professional game, and he would be a good character for the dressing room.

Ryan Trevitt (Brentford – free)

I think that The Ravens need to try and find a more technical type during the summer to complement the existing options that they have got at their disposal. A player that can dictate the tempo of a game. A delicate weight of pass. Creative in possession. Can be more deliberate and expressive in their build-up with the ball. 

One player that I think Bromley should look at is Ryan Trevitt. He has spent the last two campaigns in League One. Loans at Exeter City and Wigan Athletic. That divisional knowledge will no doubt be useful. The Ravens have maintained strong relationships with Brentford – in signing Ethan Brierley – and so they could utilise that ‘in’ to navigate a potential deal. 

Trevitt is a slightly different profile to what they have currently got at their disposal. Technically strong. A good passer of the ball. A delicate weight of pass. Good vision, and the ability to play through the lines. He has a good engine on him, the ability to arrive late into the box and score goals. A little bit similar to what they have had this term in Ben Krauhaus in that energetic runner with the technical quality to get involved in the attacking play. 

With opportunities in the first-team perhaps difficult for Trevitt to come by, I feel that he may well look to identify a chance to go and get regular football, and properly kick start his career. If The Ravens can get a deal done for him, I think that he would represent a strong bit of business.

Akeel Higgins (West Bromwich Albion – free)

While Andy Woodman will no doubt look to make good use of the loan market in strengthening the squad during the summer, I think he will be looking to sign a few players that they can develop as a bit of a long-term project. This season’s Ifill’s and Odutayo’s. Long-term deals. Early 20’s age profile. A lot of future potential. 

One player that fits that profile and who I feel may well be available for them to sign is Akeel Higgins. He finished the 2025-26 campaign on loan at Exeter City, and while he hasn’t played regularly as a first-choice, I have seen glimpses of what the youngster is about and have been impressed. 

While The Ravens currently have a player in Mitch Pinnock off the left-hand side, Higgins is a completely different type of profile and that is why I would be intrigued in signing him. A different weapon in the arsenal. He is a tricky player with clever change of direction, a little bit of unpredictability in his movement and that searing pace to really cause teams a problem in behind. As The Ravens step up into League One against players that are better, more tactically acute managers and sides who are more akin in stopping sides play, I think that the predictability of knowing Pinnock’s crossing threat will perhaps be something teams look to nullify. 

As such, having more of an outlet that gets in behind and keeps teams guessing is more up my street and what I think they should be adding in the summer. He can play anywhere across the front. 20 years of age. For me, I think that he would represent a good investment. Out of contract at the end of the campaign, I would be looking to get a contract under the nose if I were Andy Woodman.

Joel Drakes-Thomas (Crystal Palace – loan)

The Ravens have had a player on loan from Crystal Palace previously in the form of Danny Imray. The youngster enjoyed a hugely successful spell with Andy Woodman’s side. The Eagles highlighted the good work they did. That will no doubt stand them in good stead as far as navigating another potential signing out of their academy, and crucially in being entrusted to have one of their young players on loan. The Ravens have already shown Hayes Lane is a good environment for young players, and so I feel they are well-positioned to sign a player like Drakes-Thomas. 

I expect that Corey Whitely will play a less prominent role in 2026-27 than he has done to this point, and so the right wing is definitely an area in which they can improve and strengthen in the summer. 

Joel Drakes-Thomas has been in and around the first-team with The Eagles by way of the fact that they have not got the biggest squad to pick from, but I think that his involvement has been limited largely to appearances off the bench and fairly short appearances at yet. The regularity and contact time of playing week-in, week-out will do him – I feel – the world of good in terms of being able to hone his craft. 

The youngster is quick and extremely direct. A willing runner that looks to carry the ball to goal. Get at the opposition. Commit players. Get them on the back foot. He is a little bit raw, but I think that harnessed in the right way he can be hugely effective. That willingness to take risks, play on the front foot and get into good areas. 

If The Eagles do wish to send him out on loan to get that development time, I think that they will likely favour Bromley as being one of the top choices as a destination for him given how well their loan with Imray went and the rave reviews that they got back as a reference. It would definitely be a coup given that he has been around the first-team and very highly-rated within Palace circles. If they could get him, I think that he would be a safe bet for being one of the best in his position.

Valentin Joseph (Blackburn Rovers – loan)

While Michael Cheek has been an ever present for The Ravens this season and will no doubt remain an integral component to their attack, I do think that the top end of the pitch is an area in which they should look to add extra quality if they’re to remain competitive in League One in 2026-27. 

Joseph has been one of the best-performing young forwards in the UK academy scene over the course of the last 18 months. A particularly impressive 2025-26 campaign where he has scored regularly for Blackburn Rovers’ youth-team in their cup run – including against Manchester City – and he is extremely highly-rated. To date, he has not experienced first-team football and I think that is the next step in his development if he is going to break into the Rovers first-team. 

In terms of the profile that I typically look for in a #9, I think that he has it all. A physical powerhouse. Quick. Mobile. Direct. Strong in the air. Good close control and technical quality. He represents a nice middle-ground between being your ‘traditional’ #9 profile leading the line in providing a physical presence to occupy defenders and in playing off, yet has got the athleticism and running power to play off the shoulder.

One thing that I particularly like about Joseph is that he is self-sufficient as a forward. A quality that all forwards have to some degree in this Bromley side given that they are fairly direct and play balls into dangerous areas for strikers to get on the end. You’ve got to be industrious in your work, have an intensity off the ball to force opportunities and the physicality to hold off defenders. This is something which Joseph has. A range of different finishes. A clinical ball-striker. 

Blackburn Rovers have got one of the best academies in the Football League, and one thing that they do really well is in finding their younger players the right opportunities in which to go and play professional football. He will be in high demand given the form that has been in across the calendar year and because he represents a fairly unique profile for a #9 that so many sides often crave, butHayes Lane has proven to be a really strong environment for young players to develop and so Bromley may represent a sensible step into the first-team game.