[themaclad]

Northampton Town have re-signed midfielder Michael Jacobs following his release by Chesterfield.

The 33-year-old began his career with the Cobblers and made 100 appearances for the club in all competitions before moving to Derby County in 2012.

He has agreed a one-year contract, which also includes what the club describe as "various options" and is their fifth summer signing following Jack Perkins, Jack Burroughs, Kamarai Swyer and goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons.

"We think he can be very good for us, not only in his own right but as a player who the other lads in the squad can learn from and we certainly feel they will benefit from his presence and his experience," said boss Kevin Nolan.

Jacobs has been a member of four promotion-winning teams during his career, three of them from League One - twice with Wigan and once with Wolves.

He made 25 appearances for Chesterfield last term, the final two in their League Two play-off semi-final against Walsall, which they lost 4-1 on aggregate.

Jacobs told BBC Radio Northampton that returning to the side had always been on his "bucket list" and their results were the first he checked on match days after playing for other clubs.

He added: "When I left, I probably didn't want to leave but it was such a great opportunity to go and play for a big club in the Championship."

[themaclad]

Northampton Town have signed Barrow midfielder Dean Campbell and Stevenage forward Elliott List on two-year deals.

Campbell, 24, rejected the offer of a new contract from the Bluebirds to move up to League One and join the Cobblers, while List had been in negotiations over a new deal with Stevenage before opting to move to Sixfields.

Campbell made 33 League Two appearances for the Cumbrian side last season, scoring one goal, after initially joining from Aberdeen in June 2023.

"There was a lot of interest in him so it is a credit to the club that we have been able to make this signing," Northampton boss Kevin Nolan told the club website., external

Campbell was the fifth signing of the summer for Northampton who finished 19th in League One last season.

List became the sixth signing shortly afterwards, joining after spending six years at the Lamex Stadium, during which time he scored 35 goals in 201 appearances.

The 28-year-old was previously with Gillingham after coming through the Crystal Palace youth system.

Nolan said, external: "He is a dynamic forward who can play in a number of the attacking positions and brings real energy and attacking threat.

"We want pace down the sides next season and he fits that template perfectly."

[themaclad]

Northampton Town have signed central defender Conor McCarthy on a two-year contract following his release from Barnsley.

The 27-year-old played 38 times in three seasons at Oakwell, which included 24 appearances in the last campaign and a loan spell at Swindon.

After starting at his hometown club, Cork City, the Irish youth international joined Scottish side St Mirren where he played 68 times before a move to South Yorkshire in 2022.

"We see Conor as a leader, a really good professional and someone we are really pleased to sign," manager Kevin Nolan told the club website, external.

"He is a good defender, strong in the air and in the tackle and he puts his body on the line. He is also good on the ball and we are adding players who we think will make us better in that part of the game.

"I want us to be better in possession and he will help with that. He will help us sustain attacks as well as his defensive work and that's important for the way we want to play."

[themaclad]

Northampton Town have signed Oxford United defender Jordan Thorniley on a season-long loan deal.

The 28-year-old began his career at Everton and has also had spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Blackpool.

"He will add balance to us and bring with him a good amount of knowledge and experience," Cobblers boss Kevin Nolan told the club's website., external

"He had lots of offers so we're delighted he has decided to join us and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Northampton begin their League One campaign on Saturday, 2 August with a trip to Wigan Athletic (15:00 BST).

[themaclad]

Northampton Town have signed West Ham central defender Michael Forbes on a season-long loan deal.

The 21-year-old can also operate as a left-back and has one cap for Northern Ireland.

Forbes was part of a Hammers' under-21s side who drew 0-0 with the Cobblers in a friendly on Tuesday.

The move reunites Forbes with Northampton manager Kevin Nolan after the pair worked together at West Ham.

"He was a youth team player when I was there. I know what he is capable of and the levels he is capable of reaching," Nolan, who spent four years playing for the east London club and another four on the coaching staff, said., external

Forbes joined League Two side Bristol Rovers on season-long loan at the start of the 2024-25 season but was recalled by the Hammers after sustaining a hamstring injury.

He then joined Colchester United on a loan deal but had a reoccurence of that injury, so again returned to his parent club.

"He had some really bad luck last season but he is back now and we feel we can provide the platform for Michael to develop and kick on," Nolan said.

"We believe we can help him reach the levels we know he is capable of and that includes playing international football again."

Northampton begin their League One campaign on Saturday, 2 August with a trip to Wigan Athletic (15:00 BST).

[themaclad]

Manchester United teenager Ethan Wheatley has joined League One side Northampton Town on a season-long loan.

The 19-year-old striker had a loan spell in League Two with Walsall last term, but featured only four times for the Saddlers.

He made three Premier League appearances off the bench for the Red Devils in the 2023-24 season, but his solitary first-team game for Manchester United last term came in their 5-2 Carabao Cup win against Leicester City.

Wheatley went on to feature for England at the Under-19 European Championships in the summer, scoring two goals in three appearances.

"He has played in the Premier League for Manchester United at the age of 18 and you don't do that without having a lot of ability," Northampton boss Kevin Nolan told the club website., external

"I have seen enough of him to know what he is all about, what his attributes are and to believe that he can come in and be a good addition for us."