Exeter City are delighted to announce the double signing of strikers Danny Rose and Ajay Matthews, both subject to medicals and EFL approval.
Experienced striker Danny Rose joins the Grecians on a permanent transfer from National League side Barrow, signing a two-year contract. Young striker Ajay Matthews joins on a season-long loan from Championship side Millwall.
The 32-year-old striker Danny arrives at St James Park with a wealth of experience across the EFL, having made more than 400 career appearances, netting over 100 goals during a career that has included spells with Barnsley, Bury, Mansfield Town, Northampton Town, Stevenage, Grimsby Town and Barrow.
Danny started his professional career with Barnsley before moving to Bury, where he established himself as a regular in the Football League. He went on to spend four seasons with Mansfield Town, scoring 38 goals in 141 appearances, before joining Northampton Town in 2020.
A move to Stevenage followed in 2022, with Rose helping the club secure promotion to League One during the 22/23 season. He then joined Grimsby Town, where he enjoyed a highly productive spell, scoring 29 goals in 95 appearances across all competitions. Rose moved to Barrow in January 2026, joining the Bluebirds from Grimsby.
20-year-old Ajay Matthews began his career in the academy at Middlesbrough, progressing through the club’s youth system before making his senior debut during the 23/24 season. He made two first-team appearances for Boro before earning a move to Millwall in January 2025, signing a long-term contract with the Championship club.
The forward has also represented England at youth level, featuring for the Under-17s before progressing to the England Under-18 squad. He scored on his Under-18 debut in a 4-2 victory over Northern Ireland in May 2024.
Matthews gained his first experience of regular senior football during a loan spell with Leyton Orient in the second half of the 25/26 season. He made four appearances for the League One side before returning to Millwall in the summer.
Capable of playing across the forward line, Matthews brings pace, energy and an ability to operate in attacking areas. He will now look to continue his development with the Grecians and contribute to City’s League Two campaign.
Speaking about the double capture, manager Matt Taylor said: "I think our fans will know Danny Rose from his time at Mansfield and Northampton and Grimsby and then Barrow back in the last season, and he's a player who's been of a certain pedigree throughout his career and a real handful at the top of the pitch.
"He will work his socks off for the team and will add a little bit of experience to that front line. So a good profile and platform for the team to go into. I know what he's like as a character as well. He is chomping at the bit to get back into the Football League and add to the group.
"Ajay is almost the opposite end of the spectrum in terms of his career, but also in terms of his profile. So a lively, energetic, off the shoulder forward, a running player and he has had a loan experience at him and is waiting to get the game time, he probably wanted to. We're pleased Millwall have trusted us with his development, but he's coming into effect the group.
Both Danny and Ajay will head down to Exeter tomorrow and we will catch up with them, and you’ll be able to hear their first words on becoming Grecians!