National League: Woking and Forest Green complete deals as Hartlepool United await first summer addition

Hartlepool United will hope to add a number of new faces to their squad over the coming weeks after 13 players left the club in the aftermath of a disappointing season.

The likes of captain Tom Parkes, midfielder Gavan Holohan and forward trio Danny Johnson, Adam Campbell and Alex Reid were all released after their contracts came to an end and that has left new manager Lee Clark and recently appointed head of recruitment Chris Beech with a significant amount of work to do throughout the summer. Work has been ongoing since Clark and Beech’s appointments were confirmed earlier this month and Pools will hope to make their first breakthrough in the near future.

A number of their National League rivals have already made their first new additions of the close-season and Forest Green Rovers have started the process of bouncing back from their play-off disappointment by completing the signing of winger Bryan Ifeanyi from Isthmian League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic.

The 22-year-old has agreed a two-year deal and will hope to carry on the momentum he gained from an impressive season last time out after he scored 13 goals and provided 10 assists in 36 appearances for his former club. He will now hope to help Robbie Savage’s side push for promotion once again next season after their hopes of returning to League Two were ended by a 1-0 defeat at Boreham Wood in the National League play-off eliminator round.

After completing the signing, Savage said: “It is absolutely fantastic to have Bryan on board. He is fast, dynamic and skilful with the ball at his feet. His profile embodies everything we are trying to do at Forest Green, and he is another player I’m sure the fans will be excited to watch when he steps onto the pitch.”

Harrogate Town defender joins Woking

Former Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe has continued adding to his Woking squad after securing the signing of former England Youth international Zico Asare.

The 25-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the Cards after leaving National League newcomers Harrogate Town in the aftermath of their relegation from League Two. Asare had made over 50 appearances for the Sulphurites after joining them from Maidenhead United during the summer of 2024 - but he will now resume his career working under Defoe at Woking.

Cards director of football Jody Brown told the club website: "He brings a great deal of EFL and NL experience. He still has potential to improve, but already he has many of the qualities we want from our full-backs. I coached against him a few times and saw the problems he caused us, and how he dealt with our play. He always impressed me."

Roberts excited by Notts County return

One player leaving the National League is Scunthorpe United winger Callum Roberts after he agreed a deal to return to former club Notts County.

The former Newcastle United academy product scored 22 goals in 58 appearances during his previous spell with the Magpies and will hope for more of the same after agreeing a two-year deal with the option of a further 12 months. He will join a County side preparing to return to League One following their play-off final win against Salford - and Roberts is keen to prove he can thrive at a higher level.

“It’s going to be a challenge but it’s a challenge I am looking forward to,” Roberts told BBC Nottingham. “There might be people out there who write us off, that’s fine. They can doubt us all they want. I know I’ve got to work harder than ever, get fitter, get stronger and if I do I’ve got no doubt my ability will be good enough to compete in the league. I’m really excited.”

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