Duo added to the roster at County
ANOTHER double signing bolstered the ranks at Edgeley Park this week, as defender Joe Lewis and midfielder Akil Wright joined on permanent deals to further shape Dave Challinor’s squad.
County confirmed the arrivals of Wright and Lewis on Friday evening, joining on two-year deals from York City and Torquay United respectively.
Wright, 26, played a key part in York’s promotion via the National League North play-offs as the defensive midfielder made 43 league appearances and earned a spot in the league’s Team of the Season.
The former Wrexham man made the move to County on a free transfer after he turned down new terms at Bootham Crescent to link up with The Hatters, admitting that he “could not turn down the opportunity” of a move into the Football League.
Wright will once again work with manager Challinor after a brief loan spell at AFC Fylde.
“Akil is a player and a person that I’ve known for some time, having watched his career since his days at Ilkeston and after working with him very briefly at Fylde. We have looked extensively at profiles for an athletic, destroyer type defensive midfielder and Akil has all of these attributes and more,” said Challinor.
“He’s probably been a victim of his athleticism in his career to date, having been played in most positions, but his last few years at York have seen him develop in that deep lying role. He is a player again at a great age that can develop with us, and I believe the best of him is yet to come.”
The signing of Wright was swiftly followed by the arrival of 22-year-old Lewis, with the Welshman also turning down a new deal at National League side Torquay United.
Lewis, described as a pacy ball-playing centrehalf, joins former Torquay teammate Connor Lemonheigh-Evans in moving to Edgeley Park this summer. Due to Lewis’ age, The Hatters agreed a compensation package with The Gulls after the former Swansea City prospect’s rejection of new terms at Plainmoor.
“I’m delighted that Joe has agreed to join us here at County. He is a young player with huge potential and really good experience for his age and is one that we really feel will grow and continue to improve during his time with us,” said Challinor.
“He has all the modernday requirements that a centre-back needs, as well as the attitude of loving and wanting to defend. His performances and growth over the past two seasons have really stood out and we feel he will fit perfectly into how we want to play both in and out of possession.”
Meanwhile, County learned their Papa John’s Trophy fate this week, with the group stages of the competition partially drawn.
The Hatters have been drawn into Group C along with League One sides Shrewsbury Town and newly-promoted Port Vale.
The draw to determine the U21 side of the group will be made live on Sky Sports News on Thursday (23rd June) along with confirmation on this season’s Sky Bet League Two fixtures and the first round of the Carabao Cup.
County’s pre-season schedule begins with a visit to Nuneaton Borough on Saturday 2nd July – the location of The Hatters’ memorable National League North title win back in 2019.
‘We have looked for an athletic, defensive midfielder and Akil has all the attributes’