5 Eyebrow-Raising Deals In League One This January
Another transfer window has come to an end, with this one – at the backend of the 2020/21 season – being an interesting one for England’s third division.
We have seen an abundance of players coming and going from clubs in League One this month as managers look to strengthen their sides heading into the final stretch of the season, in order to mount their title charges and fight their relegation battles respectively.
Amongst the many, many, many additions and outgoings is certainly some intriguing bits of business. Today, I have looked at five of these January deals and will discuss their move this transfer window and what they can offer for their new clubs.
Troy Parrott – (Tottenham – Ipswich) Loan
When Troy Parrott joined Championship side Millwall from Spurs on an initial season-long loan in the summer, many expected this to be a breakthrough season for the striker. But unfortunately for the Irishman, it did not work out for him.
The 18-year-old only made 12 appearances for the Lions – 11 of which in the Championship – and failed to score. After this disappointing spell, his parent club Tottenham have recalled him and sent him straight back out on loan, but this time to League One in Ipswich Town.
The Tractor Boys currently sit 11th in the table and have been struggling to find the back of the net of late, with just eight goals in their last 10 matches. Parrott gives them another option up top and will be looking to prove a point in the third tier after his lack-lustrous spell at Millwall.
Marcus Maddison – (Charlton – Bolton) Loan
In a move that materialised very late on Deadline Day, Charlton Athletic attacking midfielder Marcus Maddison has been shipped out on loan to League Two Bolton Wanderers for the remainder of the season.
Maddison joined the Addicks in the summer window as a free agent, following his release from fellow League One outlets Peterborough United. He had previously had a spell at the backend of the 2019/20 season with Hull City, playing just seven times in the Championship and scoring once.
The 27-year-old came to Charlton having not played football since March, after refusing to play the remaining nine games of the season during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like at Hull, he struggled to establish himself as a regular in the side and featured nine times for the Addicks, scoring twice.
Maddison is notorious for having a bad character and it seems that manager Lee Bowyer has failed to work with, or even change this attitude. It’s not surprising to the Charlton fans that he has been moved on this month and this move to League Two could be great for the player to get regular minutes, but it could also allude to a permanent exit from the club in the summer.
Zach Clough – (Nottingham Forest – Wigan)
When we think of Zach Clough, we look back to his Bolton days; a young, up and coming attacking midfielder who was really making a name for himself in the Championship and League One with the Whites.
In 2017, the then 22-year-old made a £3 million move to Nottingham Forest, having made 59 leagues appearances for Bolton and scoring 21 goals. But this transfer would not really work out for him, as he went on to make 27 appearances between 2016 and 2018 for Forest, scoring four and getting two assists.
He returned to Bolton on loan in 2018 and had another loan spell with Rochdale at the start of the 2018/19 season, playing nine times for both clubs in the league. Now 25, Clough has joined second-bottom Wigan Athletic on a short-term deal; a perfect opportunity for him to get regular minutes and potentially reignite his career.
Will Grigg – (Sunderland – MK Dons) Loan
Will Grigg’s… well, not on fire and your defence probably isn’t that terrified of him nowadays!
After completing a £4 million move to Sunderland from Wigan in January 2019, the 29-year-old has featured 49 times in League One and has scored a measly five goals. That works out as £800,000 per goal!
The Northern Irish striker has had a disastrous time in Wearside and after the acquisition of Ross Stewart this month, it was clear that Sunderland were going to be moving Grigg on. He has joined fellow League One side Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the season, where he had enjoyed a successful spell in 2014, scoring 22 goals in 50 appearances in 2014/15.
It is fair to say, however, that he is far from the player he once was, and he will be desperate to find some form under Russell Martin in 2021.
John Bostock – (Free Agent – Doncaster)
After the departure of midfielder Ben Whiteman to Preston, Doncaster were in need of a replacement going into the second half of the season. A replacement, which they found in John Bostock.
The 29-year-old joins the promotion chasers on an 18-month deal after leaving French side Toulouse in October by mutual consent. The midfielder had spent the first half of last season at Nottingham Forest, but he only managed seven appearances in the Championship.
Bostock is an excellent signing for Rovers, especially considering they are in League One. He is a player that brings loads of experience to Darren Moore’s side and gives them some much needed solidity in the middle of the park following the loss of Whiteman. Although it may take time for him to get sharp having not played football in a couple of months, when fit, he will certainly make a difference.
