The summer transfer window usually brings big moves at every level of the English game, and the National League is no different.
This summer was one of not too many big-money moves, but some valuable players moved to new pastures. Here are the biggest transfer moves of the summer involving National League clubs in the 2024 summer transfer window:
Chris Conn-Clarke (Altrincham to Peterborough for a fee of £415,000)
The young Northern Irish midfielder was the player who was involved in the most expensive move of the transfer window involving fifth-tier clubs. He moved from Altrincham to League One Altrincham in a deal worth £415,000.
Conn-Clarke earned the move, having enjoyed a sensational season in front of goal in season 2023/24, scoring 23 goals from midfield in 46 appearances for Altrincham. The midfielder will be able to showcase his skills in the EFL, with his only previous league experience being four games for Fleetwood Town earlier in his career.
Harry Caldwell (Southend United to Forest Green Rovers for a fee of £145,000)
The forward moved to newly relegated Forest Green Rovers from Southend United for a fee of around £145,000. Caldwell’s fee was mainly down to scoring 18 goals last season for the Shrimpers.
The former Scottish under-21 forward had never really been prolific in his career, with his goal tally from last season being the highest he has achieved in football. Forest Green will be looking to him to fire them back into League Two at the first time of asking.
Amadou Bakayoko (Forest Green to H.C Sapporo on a free transfer)
While Caldwell joins Forest Green, Amadou Bakayoko has exited the club, joining Japanese J1 League club H.C Sapporo as a free agent. The Sierra Leone international spent last season on loan in the SPL with Dundee, where he scored just six goals in 37 appearances for the Dark Blues.
He had previous experience in the non-league game during loan spells with the likes of Southport, Telford United and Worcester City. Maybe he didn’t fancy playing in the fifth tier in season 2024/25.
Josh Sims (Ross County to Yeovil Town on a free transfer)
Yeovil pulled off something of a coup by signing experienced winger Sims on a free transfer from SPL outfit Ross County.
The 27-year-old winger had never played below English One before his move to Town, so he should add some quality to their attack. However, Sims has struggled to really get his career off the ground elsewhere. He will be hoping that a switch to Yeovil will revive his fortunes.
Sean Long (Cheltenham to Forest Green Rovers on a free transfer)
The Irish full-back has arrived at Forest Green on a free transfer after spending the last six seasons with Cheltenham Town, playing in both League Two and League One with Town.
The 29-year-old will add experience to the Forest Green team, having made over 300 career appearances in various leagues.
Darragh O’Connor (Greenock Morton to York City on a free transfer)
The 25-year-old joined York City from Greenock Morton as a free agent following the expiration of his contract with the Scottish Championship club.
He had made 68 appearances in all competitions for the Ton, having previously been on the books of Premier League Leicester City. However, O’Connor never made a senior first-team appearance for the Foxes during his time in the Midlands from 2019 until 2021.
Manny Monthe (Northampton Town to Oldham Athletic on a free transfer)
The Cameroon-born star has made the switch from League One outfit Northampton Town to Oldham Athletic. The 29-year-old started his career at Queen Park Rangers. Although he never played for the Hoops, Monthe has enjoyed a varied and well-travelled career.
The longest spell he has had at any club was from 2018 until 2021, when he made 143 appearances for Tranmere Rovers. Monthe has previous experience in the National League with Forest Green Rovers and also later with Tranmere.
Tyrese Shade (Swindon Town to Eastleigh on a free transfer)
Eastleigh snapped up 24-year-old winger Tyrese Shade on a free transfer from League Two.
The Saint Kitts and Nevis international started his professional career with Solihull Moors, making two National League appearances before moving to Leicester City. However, Shade never made an appearance for the side from the Midlands from 2017 until 2022.
He kick-started his career with a move to Swindon Town, making 63 league appearances for the Robins.
Jamie Andrews (West Bromwich Albion to Woking on a free transfer)
The central midfielder has joined Woking as a free agent from West Brom after his contract with the Midlands club expired.
The 21-year-old never featured for West Brom in the league. However, he made an appearance for the Baggies in the FA Cup. However, he has experienced several loan spells elsewhere, including in season 2023/24, when he made 37 appearances in all competitions for League Two Grimsby Town.
Tom Knowles (Walsall to Forest Green Rovers on a free transfer)
The winger is another player to have joined Forest Green Rovers to aid their bid promotion. Knowles joined the club from Walsall on a free transfer.
The 24-year-old began his playing career with Cambridge United in League Two. However, he struggled for first-team football and enjoyed several loan spells in non-league football.
In fact, from 2020 until 2022, Knowles enjoyed a successful spell with Yeovil Town, making 75 National League appearances while scoring 16 goals for the Glovers. His other non-league experiences came in temporary spells at the likes of Dartford, Kettering Town and Chelmsford City.
David Nugent