Fifteen new faces have been welcomed through the door after a frantic summer of signings for Exeter City.
Now the window is bolted shut, here is a summer transfer round-up of the players we have welcomed to Devon’s capital.
Scott Brown, 36
Goalkeeper
In: Port Vale (Free)
Veteran shot-stopper Scott Brown signed in early June in a player/coach role at the Cliff Hill Training Ground. The 36-year-old joins with a wealth of EFL experience including playing every league match for Port Vale in the 20/21 campaign.
Brown will mentor and coach the keepers as his primary role at the club and will provide back up for the first team if and when needed.
Cameron Dawson, 26
Goalkeeper
In: Sheffield Wednesday (Loan)
On a season long loan from South Yorkshire, Cameron Dawson has already filled the gloves with some impressive performances. A man proven at Hillsborough for his penalty save against Steel City rivals Sheffield United in 2018, Dawson found his way to Devon with his Championship quality immediately evident.
Upon the Owls relegation to League One, Cam signed for City on July 29th and has kept three clean sheets already this season, as well an abundance of top-quality game-changing saves.
Harry Lee, 16
Goalkeeper
In: Academy
Tipped to play at the very top by Matt Taylor, Harry Lee has been around the senior squad for much of the 2020/21 season and signed his first professional contract alongside Sonny Cox in June.
The towering 16-year-old is the latest in a long line of players to come through the youth ranks at St James Park and has spent time on trial at Premier League clubs Everton and Chelsea.
Harry made his professional debut in the EFL Trophy, with a couple of remarkable saves in the encounter against Chelsea U23’s.
George Ray, 27
Centre-back
In: Tranmere Rovers (Free)
27-year-old Ray spent last season with Tranmere Rovers but has spent most of his career at Crewe Alexandra, where he came through their productive youth set up.
He was sent out on loan early in his Crewe career to Leek Town but made his first team debut for the Alex in the Football League Trophy final at Wembley against Southend United, becoming the first player to make their professional debut at a cup final at the national stadium.
George was Matt Taylor’s third summer signing ahead of the 2021/22 campaign and the defender feels that the way Exeter play will really suit his style in the coming months.
Johnathan Grounds, 33
Centre-back
In: Swindon (Free)
Former Premier League centre-half Grounds signed for City on 26th July from Westcountry neighbours Swindon Town. He has played at all four levels of the Football League beginning at Middlesbrough.
No stranger to this part of the world, Grounds has featured for Yeovil Town amongst his nine-team strong CV. His experience was crucial in the EFL Trophy draw with Chelsea.
Callum Rowe, 22
Full-back
In: Aston Villa (Free)
Signed in June, Callum Rowe joins the Grecians from Premier League side Aston Villa. The ball-playing defender made one senior appearance for the Villains as the youngsters took on a star-studded Liverpool side in the FA Cup.
Operating primarily as a left back, Leicester born Rowe was a regular feature for the Villa's Premier League 2 side and has also faced Football League opposition before, facing Salford City and Tranmere Rovers in Villa under-21's EFL Trophy campaign. So far for the Grecians he has two strong appearences for Exeter, making his league debut against Leyton Orient.
Colin Daniel, 33
Full-back
In: Burton Albion (Free)
Versatile wide-man Colin Daniel joined the Grecians at the end of August contining his already staggering 17-year career. He featured for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s Burton side last season and can play as a full back, winger and has even featured as a striker at times.
He brings promotion experience with his to SJP where he played a part in Blackpool’s play-off winning side in 2017. A calm head on the ball, Daniel will be looking to continue his strong form at Burton, here in Devon.
Timothée Dieng, 29
Defensive Midfield
In: Southend United (Free)
Settling in well in the heart of midfield, Tim Dieng has made a good impact since signing from recently relegated Southend.
The Frenchman put pen to paper in July with a vast wealth of EFL knowledge. He spent two years at Oldham before moving to Bradford. He joined Southend in 2018, captaining the side under Sol Campbell.
Playing alongside Harry Kite, Dieng has looked sharp and composed in midfield and netted his first goal for City in the first half rout against Bristol Rovers.
Kyle Taylor, 22
Central Midfield
In: AFC Bournemouth (Free)
Deadline Day signing Kyle Taylor joined from Championship Bournemouth on a three-year deal. He joined the Cherries from under 12’s and was handed his first team debut in 2018. After a short loan at Forest Green in 19/20, Taylor looked set for a good season with Bournemouth after goals in pre-season, before the Grecians swooped in.
Owura Edwards, 20
Winger
In: Bristol City (Loan)
An early season injury crisis had offered some worries, but Owura Edwards’ signing has put all heads at ease. Some wonderful cameo performances since coming in from Bristol City has excited Grecians fans and he has settled right in at the Cliff Hill.
The left winger featured four times for his parent club in the Championship last campaign and earned a new two-year deal at Ashton Gate in May. His future starts here at Exeter City on a season-long loan and we’re all on the edge of our seats to see what he can produce throughout his time here.
Josh Coley, 22
Winger
In: Maidenhead Utd (Undisc)
Josh Coley was our first summer signing and came to Devon off the back of an impressive spell at non-league Maidenhead United. Signed on a two-year contract, Coley featured in the Norwich youth set-up before moving north of the border to Dunfermline Athletic.
Seven goals in 37 apps last season kept the Exeter City scouts busy and helped by the brilliant 1931 Fund, Coley put pen to paper at St James Park.
Padraig Amond, 33
Striker
In: Newport County (Loan)
League Two has been Padraig Amond’s playground for what seems an eternity. The Irishman is seen as a Newport legend and last season topped the Exiles scoring charts. He made well over 150 apps in South Wales scoring fifty goals. Spells in Portugal, at Morecambe and Grimsby has served him well in the past.
Podge has been unlucky not to have been on the scoresheet so far in Red and White but promising signs in his opening games.
Sam Nombe, 22
Striker
In: Milton Keynes Dons (Undisc)
City unveiled their new number 10 on the 5th of July to much fireworks. The Grecians secured Nombe on a three-year deal from MK Dons after paying MK Dons an undisclosed fee. Sam has impressed in his limited game time so far this season, bagging a well worked assist for Josh Key against Harrogate.
Nombe came through the ranks at Stadium: MK and last season made the unusual loan up a division to Championship side Luton Town featuring eleven times.
Jevani Brown, 26
Striker
In: Colchester United (Free)
Eleven goals in the opening 16 games last season including two hat-tricks for Colchester turned heads in League Two and Brown signed for City on June 29th. Capable of playing in a variety of attacking positions, Jevani scored 14 goals in 85 appearances for Cambridge before his transfer to Colchester in July 2019.
Two assists in five league games to open his City account has been a good return so far and with plenty more to come from Jev, a strong strike partnership with Sam Nombe is beginning to brew.
Sonny Cox, 16
Striker
In: Academy
Another one of our own also signed his first pro contract ahead of this season, despite interest from clubs higher up the footballing pyramid. Sonny Cox committed his future to his boyhood club at the start of July.
Premier League Giant’s have shown great interest in the youngster after he fired the Exeter City U-16’s to EFL Floodlit Cup glory last term. Cox scored four goals in the final against Crewe Alexandra as the Young Grecians ran out 7-3 winners. You feel it won’t be long until we see the starlet in a senior shirt soon.
In total, 15 new faces have come through the door with two academy graduates signing their first pro terms. This season already two other academy graduates James Dodd and Michael Lilley have also made their senior debut’s for the Grecians as another glowing achievement for the ECFC youth system.
We welcome everyone who has signed this summer to St James Park!