Patience pays off as County land Cal
COUNTY have sealed the signing of former Fleetwood Town midfielder Callum Camps on a threeyear deal - just weeks after seemingly deciding against a move for the 26-year-old.
Camps, who departed the League One side over the summer after two years with the club, joins up with his hometown club on yet another free transfer for The Hatters.
The versatile midfielder had become increasingly linked with a move to Edgeley Park over the last few months of the 2021/22 campaign and into the summer, but Dave Challinor and company are believed to have originally decided against a potential deal last month – instead focussing on the double acquisition of Akil Wright and Connor Lemonheigh Evans.
That seemed to pave the way for Camps to link back up with his former Fleetwood manager Joey Barton at newly-promoted Bristol Rovers only for the option to sign Camps to come back around for the National League champions over the past week.
It is believed that a deal was resurrected due to Camps showing ‘real interest’ in what was reportedly his ‘first choice’ for a move, with County more than happy to take an opportunity which the club felt was ultimately too good to turn down.
Challinor is understood to be confident of managing what is now a packed midfield at Edgeley Park - with Camps joining Wright, Lemonheigh Evans, Antoni Sarcevic, Ryan Croasdale, Will Collar, Myles Hippolyte, youngster Cody Johnson and other midfielders at the club (albeit not all naturally central options).
But with four competitions for Challinor and County to navigate throughout this season and an increased number of substitutes permitted on all fronts, the club is content with the situation and feel Camps adds even more versatility to an already flexible centre.
The belief is that the former Rochdale man can play in a number of positions throughout the season and add a further stroke of class to an already stellar established midfield three of Collar, Croasdale and Sarcevic.
Challinor alluded to the resurrection of the deal on Monday evening, revealing the move originally seemed “destined not to happen”, and adding that the opportunity which had presented itself to sign a player of Camps’ quality was “too good to turn down” for The Hatters.
“To get Callum into the building and someone of his talent, ability and profile is brilliant,” said Challinor.
“There were conversations towards the end of last season and through the off-season, but it looked as if it was destined not to happen.
“We’ve been patient and when the opportunity arose again to get Callum in, it was an absolute nobrainer and he undoubtedly strengthens our squad significantly.
“This is a really exciting signing that will provide even more creativity, goals, experience and a tactical awareness above the level at where we are competing.”