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EFL: Three savvy summer signings by football league clubs

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There is always a flurry of transfer activity during the summer months, and it’s often difficult to keep track of all of the incomings and outgoing across the EFL. Clubs tend to wheel and deal throughout June and July as they hastily assemble a squad ahead of the forthcoming campaign. We take a look at three recent signings who could turn out to be extremely astute additions.

Paul Coutts – Fleetwood

It has been a relatively quiet transfer window for Fleetwood so far, but the Cod Army have managed to secure the services of Paul Coutts from Sheffield United. The experienced midfielder was one of many players released by the Premier League club, and with over 300 EFL appearances under his belt, the 30-year old could potentially take League One by storm. He made just 13 appearances for the South Yorkshire club last season, and will be desperate to get some regular first-team football in Lancashire.

Manager Joey Barton described him as “a very exciting signing”, and many Fleetwood fans also took to social media to express their delight.

Coutts has been credited with four goals and 18 assists in 173 League One appearances, whilst he has also netted on six occasions in the second tier. He will undoubtedly relish the opportunity to link up with prolific forwards Ched Evans and Paddy Madden.

Rohan Ince – Cheltenham

Cheltenham was perhaps a slightly surprisingly final destination for Rohan Ince, but the former Brighton midfielder has signed a one-year contract with the Robins, and he could potentially be far too good for the fourth tier.

Ince has struggled with injuries in recent years, and a number of off-field distractions have perhaps hindered his progression.

The 26-year-old was viewed as one of Brighton’s rising stars, and flourished under the management of Oscar Gomez. Some Seagulls fans suggested that he would have been far more effective at centre-half, as his ability to break up play was viewed as his greatest asset.

Brighton fans may choose to keep an eye out for Cheltenham’s results this season, as they follow the progress of their former star. It’s an exciting time for Seagulls fans under the management of Graham Potter. The Midlander took Swansea to an FA Cup quarter-final last season, where his side were narrowly beaten by eventual winners Manchester City. Potter will get the opportunity to face Pep Guardiola again this season in the Premier League, and the Citizens can be backed at 4/6 to secure successive titles, and they are also available at 10/3 in the ante-post FA Cup betting markets ahead of the 2019-2020 campaign.

Jamie Allen – Coventry

Mark Robins is quietly assembling a very impressive squad, and despite being forced to play their home games at St Andrews next season, the Sky Blues could potentially be challenging for a top six spot.

Jamie Allen is the latest in a long line of eye-catching signings, and the former Burton midfielder ended the 2018-19 campaign in superb form. The 24-year-old scored eight times in 41 appearances for the Brewers, and isn’t afraid to shoot from range. The box-to-box midfielder regularly found himself in the right place at the right time, and he will be hoping to build upon his extremely productive twelve months at the Pirelli.

Allen took a fair amount of time to find his feet in Derbyshire, but he could be an instant hit for Coventry, and should relish the chance to play Mark Robins’ preferred possession style football.

We can expect plenty more arrivals between now and the beginning of August as each club in the top four tiers gears up for another arduous campaign. These three players have previously caught the eye, and this talented trio are highly likely to prove extremely canny signings for their new employers.

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