[themaclad]

Leyton Orient captain Omar Beckles has signed a new two-year contract.

The 33-year-old has made 174 appearances for the O's and led the team out at Wembley in his side's League One play-off final defeat by Charlton Athletic last month.

It follows the news that Jack Simpson has signed a new one-year contract on Saturday, with head coach Richie Wellens also committing his future to the club for the next three years.

"I've absolutely loved my time here. We've had some special memories and I want that journey to continue," he told the club website., external

"I think we've done a really good job from where we were to where we are now, and I want to take this club where I can and leave it in a better place.

"The end of last season was tough, but it will be fuel for the fire for us. From being in the relegation zone in December to finding ourselves in the play-offs was unbelievable. We can take that confidence from last season and we want to go one better.

"There's so much potential at Leyton Orient and there are good people here from the top to the bottom. I think we have a good opportunity with a good manager who is committed to being at the club."

Beckles moved to Orient from Crewe Alexandra in 2021 and has scored 14 goals for the club.

The O's begin their next League One campaign away to Huddersfield Town on Saturday, 2 August.

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient midfielder Darren Pratley has officially called time on his playing career and taken up a coaching role with the O's.

The 40-year-old midfielder made 165 appearances for Orient and will now take charge of their Under-21s group.

His 22-year playing career also saw him play 199 times for Swansea City and 202 games for Bolton Wanderers before a three-year stint at Charlton prior to joining Orient in 2021.

Last season he made 43 appearances for Richie Wellens' side as they finished sixth in League One.

"This was a really big decision for me and I'm really grateful to the club for offering my first coaching role," Pratley told the club website, external.

"I have enjoyed a great playing career – I would love to live it all over again – but having spoken with my family, I believe that now is the right time to start the next stage of my career.

"I have had such a great time at this club, and I hope that I can use my experience to help our younger players make that transition to first-team football."

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have signed full-back Michael Craig from Reading for an undisclosed fee.

The 22-year-old has agreed a two-year deal with the O's despite being offered a new contract by Reading.

Craig started his career with Tottenham but failed to break into the first team before joining the Royals on a free transfer in 2022.

He made 60 league appearances for the Berkshire club, scoring two goals.

"Michael is someone who I have watched a lot," Orient boss Richie Wellens told the club website., external

"He's a right-back who can play elsewhere on the pitch too, and he's really comfortable on the ball. We're really happy to have him on board."

Craig is Orient's third signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Killian Cahill and Demetri Mitchell.

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have broken their club transfer fee record to sign Oxford United midfielder Idris El Mizouni.

The O's added El Mizouni to their squad on the day they also signed Reading full-back Michael Craig for an undisclosed fee.

El Mizouni spent two seasons on loan at Brisbane Road from Ipswich Town, helping the U's to promotion from League Two in 2022-23 and then playing regularly the following season, form which saw newly-promoted Oxford to sign him last summer.

The Tunisia international played 28 times for the Championship side but has been allowed to leave and sign a three-year contract with Orient.

Manager Richie Wellens told the Orient club website: "I've always loved him as a footballer, and we didn't want to lose him at the end of last season.

"He's a brilliant signing for us, and we know that the fans will love him. Iddy's signing comes at a good time in our pre-season. For me, he is one of the best midfielders in this league."

Craig has agreed a two-year deal with the O's despite being offered a new contract by Reading.

He started his career with Tottenham but failed to break into the first team before joining the Royals on a free transfer in 2022.

He made 60 league appearances for the Berkshire club, scoring two goals.

"Michael is someone who I have watched a lot," Wellens added., external

"He's a right-back who can play elsewhere on the pitch too, and he's really comfortable on the ball. We're really happy to have him on board."

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have signed Republic of Ireland forward Aaron Connolly on a free transfer.

The 25-year-old left Millwall in May after half a season at The Den where he scored once in 14 Championship games after joining in January from Sunderland.

The former Brighton and Hove Albion player has also had spells with Italian side Venezia, Middlesbrough and Hull City.

It will be his first time playing in League One since he was on loan at at Luton Town in early 2019.

He is the fifth player to join head coach Richie Wellens' Orient this summer.

"I'm delighted to be here, and the Gaffer was a main factor in me coming here," Connolly told the club website.

"I know the club just missed out on promotion last year, but we're hoping to go one better this year.

Wellens added: "I tried to sign Aaron when I was at Swindon a few years ago, but he then scored a hat-trick against MK Dons in the EFL Trophy. Everyone was in for him after that.

"He's talented, quick, good on the ball and skilful. He's got an eye for goal, and he scored twice on his Premier League debut for Brighton.

"The ability is all there, and when I met him recently I got a really good vibe off him. I sense that there is a burning desire for him to do well.

"If we can get Aaron firing, I have absolutely no doubt in his abilities."

[themaclad]

Versatile forward Josh Koroma has rejoined Leyton Orient, six years after leaving the club for Huddersfield Town.

The 26 year-old returns to Orient on a free transfer, having been released by the Terriers this summer, and has signed a three-year deal.

Koroma, Orient's sixth summer signing, told the club's website:, external "This club has always been so special to me because it is where my journey in professional football started; it means a lot to be back.

"I'm hungry to put that Leyton Orient shirt back on and am even hungrier to succeed again here."

Koroma came through Orient's academy, made his first-team debut aged 17 and helped the east Londoners win the National League in 2019.

His displays that season, which included 11 goals in 39 league appearances, also earned him a move to then-Championship side Huddersfield.

Koroma scored 35 goals in 168 appearances for Huddersfield in a six-year stay, that also included loan spells at Rotherham United and Portsmouth.

Orient head coach Richie Wellens said: "I am so pleased to get someone of Josh's quality through the door.

"He needs no introduction to our fans and returns to us as a man and someone that now has great experience at this level and the level above.

"He should be coming into the prime years of his career and if we can get the best out of him then he can be a special player for us."

[Lord Snooty]

Orient's first game? Huddersfield away.

[themaclad]

It happens

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have signed Crystal Palace defender Tayo Adaramola on a season-long loan.

Adaramola, 21, has played in the FA Cup for the Eagles, but he spent last season on loan at Stockport County and Bradford City.

The left-back becomes Orient's ninth summer signing as they bid to improve on last season's League One play-off final defeat.

"Tayo has had a few loans away from Palace now, and he comes here with real pedigree," said, external the O's head coach Richie Wellens.

"He's a proper athlete, gives us a huge amount of pace, and we think we can develop him."

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have made Newcastle midfielder Joe White their 10th summer signing.

The 22 year-old has moved on a season-long loan from the Magpies.

White told Orient's website, external: "Once Newcastle told me that I'd be allowed to go out on loan, Leyton Orient was my first choice.

"I saw a lot of the team towards the end of last season, and it was a really exciting one to watch.

"I've got better with every loan spell I've had and I believe that my skills can really contribute to us having an entertaining team again this season."

The move to Orient is White's fifth loan spell of his career.

He has previously had temporary stints at Hartlepool United, Exeter City, Crewe Alexandra and MK Dons.

White played 35 times for MK Dons last season, scoring six goals and setting up two more.

Orient missed out on promotion last season after losing the League One play-off final against Charlton at Wembley.

They have responded by making a string of additions, with White joining Killian Cahill, Demetri Mitchell, Michael Craig, Idris El Mizouni, Aaron Connolly, Tyreeq Bakinson, Josh Koroma, Tommy Simkin and Tayo Adaramola in moving to Brisbane Road this summer.

Orient head coach Richie Wellens said: "We know we had to make a lot of signings this window due to our departures, and Joe was someone we identified early on as being someone we wanted to bring in."

Orient will begin their 2025/26 campaign at Huddersfield Town on Saturday, 2 August.