2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Burton Albion

Player Decisions

Retain

Jack Armer, Kegs Chauke, Terence Vancooten, Tony Sibbick, Jake Beesley, Fin Delap, Fabio Tavares, Kyran Lofthouse, Alex Hartridge, Jasper Moon, Jordan Amissah, Millar Matthews-Lewis, Sulyman Krubally

Release

Tomas Kalinauskas, Alex Bannon, Jake Cooper-Lowe, Geraldo Bajarami, Nick Koto, Jason Sraha, James Jones

Lose

Udokwa Godwin-Malife, Charlie Webster, Alex Gilligan, Tyrese Shade, Junior Larsson

Loan End

JJ McKiernan, Seb Revans, Brad Collins, Andy Cannon

Retained Squad

New Signings

Brad Collins (Coventry City – free)

The first player that I have picked out for The Brewers is one that will come as little surprise; goalkeeper Brad Collins. Collins has been the #1 for Albion in 2025-26, and I see little to suggest that – in their goalkeeping efforts next term – they will look elsewhere for the solution. 

Finding a reliable #1 for the level can always be difficult, and so Bowyer won’t overcomplicate efforts in the close season. Collins has been hugely impressive for The Brewers this term, with his experience, shot-stopping and command for his penalty area having proved especially useful in helping to provide them with the sturdy foundations on which to build their defensive third. 

The 29-year-old has got a strong connection with the football club, with his loan with them in 2025-26 the second spell in which he has featured for The Brewers after a spell earlier to that in 2018-19. He has embraced the opportunity of signing on loan from The Sky Blues to get back to being a #1, and it seems as if he has really enjoyed himself over the last 12 months given the opportunity to play regularly. 

Coventry City already have two good goalkeepers on their books in the form of Oliver Dovin and Simon Moore, and the chances are they will try to re-sign Carl Rushworth on a permanent deal, and so Collins will be let go by Frank Lampard. Given that he enjoyed such a successful loan with The Brewers, I expect him to return to the club on a permanent basis.

Tom James (Leyton Orient – free)

I expect a lot of change this summer at Leyton Orient, with Richie Wellens overseeing a fair bit of upheaval. One player who I feel may well be available as a casualty of that, yet who I think could over value to The Brewers, is the experienced defender Tom James. 

Orient have struggled in 2025-26, and so I don’t feel that their overall shortcomings are reflective of James’ lack of quality. I just feel that sometimes a player needs a new environment and a change of scenery, and in the event of the 30-year-old I definitely think that much is true. Five years with Orient. 160+ appearances. Time for a change, I feel. 

In terms of the type of player that James is, the experienced campaigner is a ball-playing, technical, full-back. Comfortable stepping into midfield. Good delivery, and the intelligence in playing out. A nice range of passing. Good technique. The Brewers have got a defence that is very much centred around doing the basics well and perhaps not overly competent in ball-progression, and so signing a player of James’ technical attributes could complement the squad quite nicely. 

One of the advantages that I feel you get in signing a player of James’ profile is that he can play in a number of different positions. He played as a right-back predominantly. At the base of midfield. If required, slightly further forward as a wide midfielder given his composure and quality with the ball. In what is likely to be a smaller Burton Albion squad with an emphasis on quality over quantity, I think that he could represent quite a smart bit of business for Albion.

Charlie Barker (Crawley Town – fee)

I think that defender Udoka Gowdin-Malife may well be one that is snapped up by a club be it at this level or the one above, and so The Brewers will need to add a central defender to the ranks. One option that I feel they could look at is Crawley Town’s Charlie Barker. 

While Town have not been overly defensively strong, the 23-year-old has been one that has always impressed me. In his time with Crawley Town. Prior to that during a spell with Wealdstone in the National League. He plays with real maturity for someone so young, and has quite clearly been really well-coached in his academy days given his intelligence in defending. While Charlie Barker may not be the biggest defender physically, the youngster is aggressive in the air. Good on the ball. A strong reading of the game.

One of the benefits that Albion do get in selecting Barker as an option to join them is that he has got the stylistic appreciation for playing in a 3-man defence. Wealdstone employed that summer under Stuart Maynard, and Crawley Town have – prior to Colin Kazim-Richards’ arrival – played in that shape. 

In terms of the type of signings that Gary Bowyer will make, I think that Barker ticks a number of the requisite boxes. Young. Willing to work hard. Hugely coachable. Proven himself at the level and worthy of a chance to step up. The type of signing they can develop long-term. A good technical grounding out of a strong academy. There is enough substance to suggest that under the right coach and in a good environment he could be capable of being a success.

The youngster has got a good amount of first-team experience under his belt, and even if he is not a starter then I would be confident that he is more than good enough to step up into League One. He is still under contract for another year with The Red Devils, but I think that Barker would represent a sensible long-term investment for Town as an asset they can develop.

Andy Cannon (Wrexham – free)

One area in which Gary Bowyer will – I feel – be looking to add during the summer is that bit of experience to the engine room. Those one or two additions that can provide that bit of leadership and nous to the group. Especially given the majority of the deals will more than likely be on the younger and untested side. Indeed, they’ll look to ensure that they can retain the value in what they have built in 2025-26.

Wrexham – despite their investment – retain a core of players who if you are being honest are likely not Championship level, and if they are going to be ruthless in their preparations for 2026-27 then you’d say may be allowed to leave. Looking at their squad, I feel Andy Cannon may well be one of those. 

Cannon finished the campaign with The Brewers, and so if he does go anywhere during the summer then you’d imagine Albion will be near the front of the queue as potential suitors. 

As a profile, Cannon is a high-energy, pressing, combative midfielder that is strong against the ball in forcing turnovers and has got the technical quality and technique to operate as a #8. He has got an infectious work ethic to get through the yards and get about the pitch. He isn’t the biggest, but he definitely has that tough-tackling nature to his play and he is incredibly diligent and self-sufficient in winning the ball. 

Gary Bowyer is likely going to have to ‘take a chance’ on a few players in the summer in being good enough to make the step up – projects, if you will – and so retaining players of the experience of Cannon is invaluable. The types he can almost overlook as taking care of themselves.

JJ McKiernan (Lincoln City – loan)

The third of three players on this list that finished 2025-26 with The Brewers, this signing suggestion will certainly not win awards for ingenuity. Yet, I feel that this one is a signing I expect to happen. JJ McKiernan back to Burton Albion. Safe as houses. 

The youngster comes off the back of two highly productive loan spells with The Brewers, and so – given the success that the team has had – I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gary Bowyer again go in for the youngster in the summer. 

As a player, McKiernan is a hard-working, athletic, energetic profile that is a box-to-box midfielder. During his time with The Brewers, McKiernan has been used in different roles under Gary Bowyer outside of just being a #8, having played as a winger and off the front. He is the type of selfless team player who perhaps doesn’t always get the level of plaudits that he deserves. The Brewers  have one of the lower budgets in League One, and so having players that are adaptable to playing as and where required is incredibly useful for Bowyer. 

With Lincoln City having been promoted to the Championship and McKiernan having already been deemed surplus to requirements this season, I don’t see him being integrated as part of The Imps’ plans for the second tier under Michael Skubala. While he is still contracted, I fully expect him to return to The Brewers going into 2026-27, be it on loan or permanently.

Callum Stead (Barnet – free)

Gary Bowyer has got success in recruiting from lower in the pyramid in charge of Burton Albion, and I expect that to remain a constant of their recruitment this summer. One player that is currently playing in League Two and who might be a good option for them to consider is Callum Stead. 

There was a general consensus on Matchday #46 that Stead was sighting a potential incoming departure in his acknowledgement of the crowd. That an exit is on the cards. If there is, I’d be all over him as a prospective signing if I am The Brewers. The 26-year-old has been out of favour for parts of the 2025-26 campaign, yet ended showing his qualities. 

He is the type of player that will ‘chase a crisp packet in the wind’. An incredible passer. Relentless energy. An infectious work-rate and a willingness to chase lost causes, run the channels and in always offering an option beyond the play.

In terms of being a fit for this Albion side, I feel that he would complement what they have got at the top end of the pitch. His energy and ‘buzzing’ alongside a top forward in Jake Beesley. Making runs in behind. Getting on the end of knock-downs. Ensuring that they can pin teams in and keep them honest in pressing them high. 

He is most effective – I feel – playing in between the lines. Use his speed and running power to drive the ball at teams. His slight frame to receive the ball on the turn. I feel that there is definitely an argument to say that he can improve his end product in front of goal and be more intelligent in his work, and potentially a case of ‘less is more’. However, his work-rate is infectious, he is a good professional, and very much sets an example in his application. 

He is the type of player that I think The Brewers should be signing, and I believe that he is ready for the step up. On a free transfer, I feel he would be a clever acquisition for Gary Bowyer.

Trey Samuel-Ogunsunyi (Sunderland – loan)

I think that The Brewers may lose Tyrese Shade in the summer, and so Gary Bowyer will have to try and find another forward option of a similar physical profile that can play in that top line. One option that I feel is attainable for them and who has some nice skillsets that could – if coached effectively – having the makings of a being a competent #9 is youngster Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi. 

Samuel-Ogunsuyi is on the books at Sunderland, and given that The Black Cats are in the top flight and will be going out to strengthen in the summer I do expect that the youngster will be let go going into 2026-27. He is under contract until the end of 2027-28, but his opportunities to play in the first-team are few and far between and so I anticipate that he may well go out on loan next term. If so, I feel that he could represent a useful option to consider. 

In terms of his physical attributes, Samuel-Ogunsuyi is a really attractive profile. A good size at 6ft 3in. Fairly mobile. A powerful player with good pace, and looks to play off the shoulder. An instinctive finisher. He has been prolific at youth level, and while that doesn’t always translate into first-team football I do feel that he has shown sufficient quality with The Black Cats’ academy to suggest he could be a threat at first-team level in League One.

The 19-year-old has only experienced first-team during brief loan spells with Shrewsbury Town and Falkirk, and so he still represents a bit of a gamble and a project for Gary Bowyer to sign him. However, given that they are not one of the bigger hitters financially and have to be fairly frugal and inventive in how they go about their recruitment, I think that this is the type of signing – in terms of age, and trajectory – that they have to take a chance on. 

Gary Bowyer has managed to get the best out of and improve a player in Tyrese Shade that I feel is of a fairly similar athletic profile to Trey Samuel-Ogunsuyi. In the event that Shade does get moved on to a higher level during the summer, this would provide Samuel-Ogunsuyi with an example as to the upward trajectory that can follow in joining The Brewers and the type of environment that Gary Bowyer has created. 

Given his form for The Black Cats, I think that there will be a lot of interest in his signature. I feel that the ‘case study’ of Tyrese Shade could be the attraction that persuades The Black Cats to send him to The Pirelli, and if that happens then I feel Burton Albion would be getting a top player.

Emre Tezgel (Stoke City – loan)

The final player that I have picked out as an option for The Brewers to sign during the close season is youngster Emre Tezgel. The forward ended the campaign on loan at League Two side Crewe Alexandra, and hit a total of 10 goals during his time at Gresty Road. 

After having a few successful loan spells in League Two, I think that the next step in his development is to test himself at a higher level and so joining a League One side would represent a logical destination. He isn’t quite ready – I feel – for playing Championship football on a regular basis and not at the stage to be integrated into The Potters’ first-team squad, but game time in League One might be a good option. 

The youngster is capable of playing as a striker or as a #10, and so in the system that The Brewers play – a 3-4-1-2 shape – then having a player that is durable enough to play anywhere in the top line is hugely beneficial in what I am expecting will be one of the smaller squads in the division again next season for The Brewers. 

In terms of his profile, Tezgel is a diminutive, nippy, quick-footed striker that has shown he is a good ball-striker with strong technique. Clever movement. Quick. Agile. Deft touches in tight areas, and links the play fairly effectively. An effective reference despite not being the most physically imposing. There is a nice all-round mix of skillsets there to work with. 

He is still under contract until the end of 2026-27, and so if The Brewers are to sign him then it would have to be on loan. He will have a lot of interest in his services given his form for The Railwaymen during 2025-26, but I feel that he may well be an attainable target for The Brewers.