2026-27 Recruitment Plan for Fleetwood Town

Player Decisions

Retain

Elliot Bonds, Rhys Bennett, Will Davies, Connor Haughey, Mark Helm, Stephen McMullan, Kayden Hughes, Denver Hume, Will Johnson, Lewis McCann, George Morrison, Ronan Coughlan, Fin Potter, Liam Roberts, Shaun Rooney, Jay Lynch, Ched Evans, Harrison Neal

Release

James Bolton, Jordan Davies, Owen Devonport, Harrison Colgate, Zach Medley, James Norwood, Matty Virtue

Sell

Toby Mullarkey

Loan Out

Liam Roberts

Loan End

Mitch Clark, Ethan Ennis, Josh Powell, Junior Osong

Sign

Danny Andrew, Kane Thompson-Sommers, Josh Thomas

Retained Squad

New Signings

Peter Kioso (Peterborough United – free)

Given that Fleetwood Town have one of the lower budgets in League Two, their philosophy in the market has got to be built around trying to find low-stock, out-of-form, high-potential players that they can obtain for a low outlay, yet who they can develop into being a good option for the level. One target that I think falls into that category having had a bit of an underwhelming 12-18 months in the Football League is Peterborough United’s Peter Kioso. 

I think that Kioso is definitely one to file under the ‘gamble’ category, yet I feel that there is a player there if they can platform him effectively. I believe you get the best out of him when he is playing as a wing-back as opposed to playing as a full-back in a four, and so he would be a strong stylistic fit for this Cod Army side. Matt Lawlor deployed a 3-at-the-back last season, and I expect they’ll opt to continue with that system. If they do, they will get the best out of that system with wing-backs that are athletic, powerful runners and that can get forward on the overlap as an option. As such, I feel Kioso could be a good profile.

In terms of his play style, Kioso is an athletic, high-intensity, willing runner that is a powerful ball-carrier. The Cod Army opted to put two technical profiles in the wing-back positions when I watched them last season in the form of Ethan Ennis and Josh Powell, whereas I feel that if you are to get the best out of that system then you’ve got to try and identify a player that can provide more pace and power in transition. You want a wing-back that has got the engine to get up in support of the play and operate as a winger when they’ve got the ball, yet the speed and agility to get back and defend. 

If I was in Matt Lawlor’s position, I would personally propose a bit of a project to Kioso in order to get him back to his best. He needs to go and play regularly, in a system that plays to his strengths, and he needs a manager that is going to put their trust in him. I would like to see Kioso play with a little more aggression and bite to his game, and be more explosive in his actions. I remember seeing Kioso during his time at Hartlepool United and he was a dangerous attacking outlet with his energy and running, yet I’ve not seen enough of that over the course of the last 12-18 months. 

One of the advantages that Fleetwood Town would get in signing Kioso is that he provides them with the flexibility to use him in a number of roles. He can be used as a traditional full-back, as a wing-back or as a wide centre-back in a three, and so he covers all bases in that defensive third. 

The 26-year-old was made available for transfer by Peterborough United at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and so the likely outcome for him this summer is that he will move on for pastures new given that The Posh have already moved on another two players made surplus in Cian Hayes and Abraham Odoh. Given that The Posh are looking to offload him, I feel that he would be available for a reasonable fee.

Eli Campbell (Everton – loan)

One profile that I would be looking to add to the squad during the summer is a left-sided centre-back that is comfortable playing wide of a back three. One option that I think they should consider to sign on a season-long loan is 21-year-old Eli Campbell. The youngster finished the campaign in League One with Port Vale last year and so this would be a bit of a coup if they could sign him in League Two, yet I think that a full season in which he can regular minutes with The Cod Army in a first-team environment may be a good option for the sake of his development. 

Campbell is a versatile defender that has been used as a left-back and a centre-back, and so he represents a strong fit for playing left of a three given his appreciation for defending large spaces in the channel and the fact that he gives the balance in playing out. I think that his best position is playing left of a three, yet he is capable of playing as a left wing-back if required and so is another player on this list that provides value for money for Matt Lawlor. 

In terms of the attributes that I would typically try to recruit for playing wide in the back three, I think the Toffees youngster is extremely well-rounded. He is a good athlete, with a nice turn of pace and covers ground well. The youngster is good at attacking the ball aerially, and so provides The Cod Army with more in the way of both a) box-defending qualities and b) a threat from set-pieces. 

The youngster has come through one of the best academy environments in the country, and has developed a real competency and composure with the ball in being able to play out. Given the system that they play, I would always want the wide centre-backs to be able to step out into midfield, progress the ball centrally on the underlap and allow the wing-backs to get high and wide. The wide centre-backs require the mobility and speed to defend large spaces, and Campbell relishes defending 1v1. 

Campbell spent time with relegated Port Vale last year, and despite the collective struggles of the team I did quite like what I saw from the youngster. I think that if you can get the right players alongside him, and allow him the license to carry the ball from a wide centre-back role in progressing down the left-hand side then I feel you’ve got a good player. He is technically strong, and has the vision to pick his passes out through the thirds. If Town are to implement their wing-back system to full effect, I think that they have got to give license for the wing-backs to get high and operate on the last line – as they didn’t do nearly enough last year – and so having a profile of Campbell behind them on the left would be a good fit. 

I think that the loan market is where The Cod Army are most likely to add the ‘needle-shifters’ that they perhaps otherwise couldn’t afford on a permanent deal, and so I feel that they’ve got to try and find that value. Campbell is of a good age, has had a couple of encouraging loan spells, has played higher and is an impressive physical profile, and thus the youngster provides a number of the requisite ticks in the box that they’d be looking for. 

Erico Sousa (Boreham Wood – free)

One option that I feel that Fleetwood Town could look at on a free transfer this summer is Portuguese wide player Erico Sousa. The experienced attacker left Boreham Wood at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and is on the look out for a new club. Despite being let go by Luke Garrard, I think that he could represent a useful squad player in League Two for The Cod Army. I don’t expect that he would be too expensive, and therefore he may provide a value for money signing for Matt Lawlor. 

Given that The Cod Army do not have the biggest budget, there is even greater responsibility for Lawlor to identify value for money in the market in the signings that they make and so I think that signing a player as versatile as Sousa ticks the boxes. He can play as a wing-back, as a more traditional winger, and can be used more centrally as a #10. He might not be a regular starter for The Cod Army in League Two, yet in terms of adding a player that can give them the flexibility tactically to change a game and depth off the bench then I feel that he could represent a useful option. 

In terms of his profile, Sousa is a quick-footed, direct, ‘flying’ winger with the speed to attack space. He is an efficient ball-carrier, covers ground quickly, and his first thought when he gets the ball is to drive the ball to goal. He is most effective when he arrives onto the play at speed whereby he is able to push the ball past players and make runs in beyond. His diminutive figure and deft close control allows him to be strong when manipulating the ball in tight spaces and spinning away from his marker, and he is particularly effective at finding the intricacy to spin away from pressure. 

Sousa has played in the Football League previously, and prior to re-signing for Boreham Wood he was rumoured for a move back into the EFL. I think that in order to step up you’d want a player with the suitable underlying technical competencies to play against better players and have the confidence to take in tight spaces, and this is where I feel Sousa is particularly effective. The way he glides past players and the speed at which he moves the ball allows him to create separation in transition, and I feel that extra mobility and speed would be incredibly useful in making Town more difficult to defend against. They missed that pacy and direct player in the final third, and so Sousa offers that. 

He is an accurate crosser of the ball, and so he would allow The Cod Army to get better service into the front players and from set-pieces. He is 31 years of age, and so he gives Town extra experience in their side. It might not be the ‘flashy’ signing, yet in terms of providing the ‘fit, form and function’ for Wood as a squad option then I think that he could be an outside-the-box target for The Cod Army to consider.  He is experienced, technically strong, an intelligent footballer and I feel that he would give Lawlor a ‘tried and tested’ option. For me, I think it is a low-risk signing and so even if he doesn’t play a lot of minutes it is worth a look.

Jack Moorhouse (Manchester United – loan)

When I watched Fleetwood Town last year, one profile that I think they were missing is a creative player in central areas that can break teams down. A lot of the emphasis was on the wide players to create, and so I feel that they definitely need to try and add an attacking midfielder that is technically strong, skilful and can pick a pass through the lines to fashion opportunities for the forward players. One player that I think they could look at and may well be attainable on loan is youngster Jack Moorhouse. 

Moorhouse spent time out on loan in the Football League last year with Leyton Orient, albeit the collective struggles of the side perhaps overshadowed his displays and I would personally not judge him solely on that spell. That was his first loan spell in first-team football, and so I’d reserve judgement until he is in a cohesive midfield unit and with better defensive protection alongside him. If you can do that, I feel that the youngster will benefit as it will allow his technical qualities to come to the fore. 

In terms of what The Cod Army have currently got on their books, I think that Moorhouse represents the perfect complementary profile. He operates most effectively as a progressive #8. The Cod Army perhaps lacked that player in the middle of the park that can play through a team and play forward, but Moorhouse is well-suited to this. He is wonderfully press-resistant, always looking to progress the ball from deep. He has quick feet. Good close control. Balletic on the ball in his movement and the ability to manipulate it in tight areas. While the likes of Harrison Neal was at times a little ‘safe’ in his passing, Moorhouse is one that wants to take risks and play into the forward players. 

In particular, I feel that Matt Lawlor’s side were missing that attacking player that could carry the ball and get the team up the pitch. The play was too predictable and orchestrated, and so I’d be looking to sign a player who can play a little bit off the cuff, is capable of dribbling past players and progressing from deep. 

One of the reasons as to why I feel Moorhouse may be attainable for Fleetwood Town is the fact that they already have an existing relationship with Manchester United, with that contact enabling them to sign Ethan Ennis on loan last year. Ennis enjoyed a productive loan spell with The Cod Army, and so United may well feel that Fleetwood Town is a good environment for Moorhouse to go and play his football. I feel that the right level at which to pitch the youngster is League Two, and so signing for Town could be a sensible option for the next stage of his development. 

Despite being with Leyton Orient last season, I think that dropping down a level would provide him with the best opportunity of getting the minutes that needs. There is a lot of physical development to do in his game, yet he is technically strong and creative against the press, and Moorhouse is the type of player that Town have been crying out for. While I don’t think that he will be short of offers, I feel that The Cod Army should go all out to try and land his signature this summer.

Chris Sze (Wigan Athletic – loan)

The Cod Army have already added Kane Thompson-Sommers to their ranks this summer, with Matty Virtue exiting the club. If they add a player like Jack Moorhouse, I think that they will be looking for that profile that can play as a #10 off the front, receive the ball between the lines and create, and someone that can contribute in the scoring stakes alongside Mark Helm. One player that I would look at as a potential option is Chris Sze. 

Sze enjoyed a hugely productive 2025-26 in which he excelled in the National League North for Southport, whereby despite the collective struggles of the team he was able to register a total of nine goals in 20 appearances.

Mark Helm was the standout profile in Town’s midfield last season, registering a total of 12 goals across 55 games for The Cod Army. Given Town’s willingness to sell for the right price as a result of their financial position, I feel that at some point – be it this summer, or in January – Helm might be a player that attracts attention from elsewhere. As such, I think that it would make a lot of sense to recruit a profile that can provide competition in the scoring stakes in terms of wanting to get beyond the play and make runs into the box. 

Indeed, Chris Sze’s trademark is his ability to arrive late and score goals very much in Lampard-esque fashion. He has got a great engine to be able to get about the pitch, is a willing runner and his first thought is always to try and play forward. He showed last season with Southport that he is at his most effective when he is able to step onto the play and drive the ball from deep, and is particularly dangerous when timing runs from deep. 

The youngster signed a new contract with The Latics this summer. While I do expect Caldwell to provide opportunity to a number of young players to make their mark in the first-team, I think that Sze is perhaps not at the level (yet) to be impactful in League One. At the very least, I feel that he perhaps needs to go and test himself at a higher level than he played at last year, and so if I were in Caldwell’s shoes I would be angling for a loan move in either the National League or League Two for the youngster.

Charlie Warren (Bolton Wanderers – loan)

The next player on this list that I think Fleetwood Town should look at signing in the off season is youngster Charlie Warren. The 22-year-old spent time out on loan in the National League with Aldershot Town last season and was particularly impressive, and I think that the opportunity to go and test himself at a higher level in League Two next season is the right move for the youngster.  

With Bolton Wanderers winning promotion to the Championship last season, I feel that Warren’s involvement in the first-team is going to be extremely limited and as such is unlikely to get a chance to play for The Trotters. Instead, I think the likely best option for the youngster is to go and play his football elsewhere, at a lower level, and at a club where is likely to get a greater volume of minutes under his belt. While it may still be two leagues below where The Trotters will be playing next year, I feel that they’ll want to try and get him an EFL opportunity and so Fleetwood Town ticks that box. 

One profile that I would be looking to add if I were Matt Lawlor is an attacking player that can provide that bit of off-the-cuff creativity and someone that is going to take risks. The Cod Army didn’t have enough in the way of open-play chance creation, and in the main I felt that they were too easy to play against. When constructing an attacking unit, I would also be looking to assemble an attack that has got that bit of unpredictability to it, the willingness to play forward and be positive, and get hots off. Charlie Warren showed a real swagger in the way that he played, and I think that fearless edge to his game provided The Shots with an added impetus and intensity to their play. 

The thing that I particularly like about Warren is that he has got the size and stature that you’d expect from a #9, yet he has got the quick feet, close control and technical quality that you get from a wide player. I feel that his best position is playing just off the front as a #10 whereby he can pick up clever pockets of space in and around the edge of the box where he can receive on the turn and get shots off. 

The youngster is immensely talented, and one that I have particularly high hopes for long-term as being a top player in the Football League. For now, he needs to go and play minutes on a weekly basis and so he should be pushing for a loan move this summer. The Cod Army have got a good target man #9 in Ched Evans, a pacy off-the-shoulder type in new signing Josh Thomas and two hard-working forwards of a good size in the form of Will Davies and Ronan Coughlan, and so I think that the perfect complement to that is a more technical type that can be a little bit cuter in that final action. As such, I feel Warren should be high on their list as a prospective signing.