Welcome to Exeter

This summer has seen a huge overhaul in the playing squad at Exeter City, with no fewer than 13 players departing the club and 8 new arrivals, with the potential for more additions before the end of the transfer window.

Below, I delve into the detail of these signings and discuss how they might fit into Gary Caldwell’s plans.

Vincent Harper

22 year old Harper was Gary Caldwell’s first summer signing, joining the Grecians for an undisclosed fee from Eastleigh.

Harper started his career in the South West at Bristol City, where he was highly rated. Described by Robins legend Brian Tinnion as a “attacking athletic full back”, he was released in the summer of 2021, due to their not being a clear pathway into the first team. Bristol already had 3 players of a similar age ahead of him in the pecking order in his position.

After a brief spell at Chippenham, Eastleigh activated a 7 day notice period and Harper joined the Spitfires where he went on to make 69 appearances in the National League.

Harper plays primarily as an attacking left full back, but is also equally happy playing happy further up the pitch. This will give City good depth and competition in this position, with Harper competing with Demitri Mitchell for the starting spot. Grecians boss Caldwell admitted that there might be occasions that both Mitchell & Harper can play down the left flank.

Jack Aitchison

A real coup for the Grecians, Aitchison was courted by a number of teams this summer.

Playing primarily in the No.10 position, he will be expected to play the role vacated by Jevani Brown, who has joined Bristol Rovers. He has also on occasion played on both the left and right wing, which will appeal to Caldwell who likes players to be able to play in multiple positions.

Aitchison started his career with Scottish giants Celtic, becoming their youngest ever goalscorer at the age of 16 with his first touch on his senior debut. The record still stands to this day.

He was a regular in the Scottish National Team set up at youth level and represented the Tartan Army at U15 to U19 level, in which he was a regular goalscorer.

Aitchison was a mainstay in the Forest Green Rovers team that pipped City to the League Two title in the 2021/2022 season, appearing in every league game, which included 32 starts and 14 substitute appearances.

The Scot has also had some experience of League One football at Barnsley, making 20 appearances, scoring 3 goals.

Aitchison has the potential to be a key player for this City side and fans will be hoping that he can form an effective partnership with Sam Nombe.

Reece Cole

On paper, this looks a very intriguing signing.

Cole was part of the Brentford youth set up and had a number of loans within EFL, and in the Scottish Premiership with Partick Thistle, which is where the connection with Caldwell lies.

Having been released by Brentford in the summer of 2020, Cole dropped out of the game for a year. He did manage to obtain a trial at QPR, but wasn’t to be offered a deal.

Cole signed for Dunfermline in the summer of 2021 but only managed to make 12 appearances and was again released at the end of the season.

This difficult spell in the midfielder’s career led to him falling out of love for the game. He decided to start playing for Chertsey on a part time basis, training 2 nights a week.

He then joined Hayes & Yeading who played in the Southern Premier League, alongside our near neighbours Tiverton Town. Cole made a good impression at H&Y and managed to notch 5 goals in 27 outings.

Caldwell has come calling again for a player he knows well from their time at Partick. He will be hoping he can bring out the best of Cole, who has made some promising appearances in pre-season for City.

Cole looks technically gifted on the ball and also has a good engine and I feel will be asset to the City squad. Capable of playing anywhere in the midfield, his versatility and work rate could be a valuable asset to City.

Dion Rankine

City’s fourth summer signing was signed on loan from Chelsea. 20 year old Rankine moved to Chelsea at the age of 14 in 2016, from Cambridge Utd.

The Chelsea club website describes Rankine as “a pacy and skilful forward who excels at dribbling and has an eye for goal”.

Rankine started out as a right winger with the Blues, but has transitioned into a capable right wing back over the past couple of seasons.

Caldwell will be hoping that the Chelsea starlet will be able to fill the role vacated by Josh Key.

His versatility allows him to play on the left side as well (although this is unlikely to be needed) or further forward. This is something that could be tested by Caldwell when feeling the need to apply pace at the top end of the pitch. The Grecians boss did this with Key on a number of occasions last season.

This will be Rankine’s first loan in senior football, and although an exciting prospect, he should be given the time and patience needed to settle himself into the team. I feel he is a player that will likely improve as the season goes on and Rankine becomes more accustomed to the physicality of League One football.

It would be beneficial for both City and Rankine if a more experienced player could also be signed in this position, allowing Rankine to be taken out of the limelight and reduce the pressure on his shoulders at any given point.

Ryan Trevitt

Next to sign for City this summer was another promising youngster from the Premier League. Ryan Trevitt signed from Brentford on a 1 year loan deal.

Having recently signed a new 3 year deal at Brentford before being allowed to leave on loan, the club clearly hold him in high regard.

Indeed, last season Trevitt posted impressive stats for Brentford B in the Premier League 2 competition. He scored 16 goals and registered 9 assists from central midfield.

Trevitt also trained regularly with the Brentford senior team and went on the clubs mid-season tour of Spain, alongside the rest of the squad who were not involved in the World Cup.

Further enhancing his reputation within the club, Trevitt won the clubs Mary Holder Award last season. This award is presented to the player who has shown progression, attitude and professionalism, qualities that all managers would be thankful for.

This signing was months in the making, with Caldwell first making an attempt to sign the player on loan in January. Caldwell finally got his man after visiting Brentford at the end of the season and watching Trevitt in the flesh. A goal and assist that night reiterated the boss’ desire to bring the player to SJP and he will be thrilled to have got his man.

Described as an old school “box to box” midfielder, Trevitt will be expected to help City retain possession and also get forward to join the attack when he can.

Similarly to Rankine, this is his first loan in the EFL and should be afforded patience by supporters.

Another very exciting signing on paper, it remains to be seen whether Trevitt can help City’s midfield dominate possession, which is what boss Caldwell strives for.

Viljami Sinisalo

After the departure of Jamal Blackman, bringing in a goalkeeper was the most important piece of recruitment this summer.

City have opted for Sinisalo, signing him on loan from Aston Villa for 1 season.

After a disappointing spell at Burton Albion during the first half of last season, Sinisalo ended up being the understudy for Emi Martinez at Villa for the second half of the season.

Viljami has represented Finland at youth level and appeared at every age group from Under 16’s through to Under 21’s. He was called up to the senior squad in January 2023, making his debut against Estonia in a 0-1 defeat.

It appears that Caldwell has given the Finn the number 1 jersey to start the season and he will have to compete with Gary Woods in order to retain the shirt . Woods will need to be called into action if Sinisalo continues to be called up to the Finland National Team.

Sinisalo conceded 8 goals in his first 2 pre season appearances, but followed that up with a very good display against Coventry City, which showed the potential that he has. If he continues to perform like that, he will be an asset to City this season.

Former Grecian Ollie Watkins was a key factor in the move, selling the club to the young Finn and giving him some tips and advice about the local area.

Sinisalo is obviously a very ambitious lad. His aim is to be the “best goalkeeper in the world” and has praised his Villa coaches for the fantastic job they have done with him so far.

Villa have recently tied the young keeper down to a new contract, running until 2025, showing the faith that they have in him.

Tom Carroll

At the time of writing, this is City’s marquee signing of the summer.

Ex Tottenham & Swansea midfielder Carroll has joined the Grecians on a 1 year deal after spending a year out of the game due to injuries. It’s important to note though that while Carroll has been without a club for the past season, he has been training with Tottenham, allowing him to regain his fitness and health.

Carroll has made 17 appearances for the England Under 21’s, scoring 2 goals. He also made close to 100 appearances in the Premier League and 82 appearances in the Championship. These facts alone point to the quality of the player.

After a successful loan spell at Swansea City, they paid Spurs a total of £5.2million for his services in January 2017.

The experienced midfielder has the potential to be City’s main man this season and the City boss will be hoping his new recruit is able to set the tone in the middle of the pitch. You feel he will be key to implementing Caldwell’s style of play, which he wants to be based on possession. With energetic midfielders Kite, Trevitt, Cole & Taylor supporting, Carroll can hopefully concentrate on pulling the strings. City fans will certainly be hoping they get a tune from the ex Premier League player. The key will be keeping Carroll fit and on the pitch.

Zak Jules

City’s 8th signing of the summer arrived from MK Dons on the 28th July.

Caldwell had hinted a couple of times over the summer that he felt he needed a 5th centre back to compete with the current quartet and after losing the experienced Jonathan Grounds this summer.

Jules plays primarily as a left sided centre back and it’s therefore assumed he will be competing with Alex Hartridge for a place in the starting eleven, which itself will not be an easy task.

Caldwell also suggested that Jules would be able to play in the centre of a back three if needed and can also cover the left back position.

An imposing figure, the former MK Dons will bring a physical presence to the backline. Jules describes himself as a quick player who likes to play out from the back.

Zak has represented Scotland at youth level and has appeared at all age groups from the Under 17’s through to the Under 21’s.

Making 79 appearances in League One, he is the type of experienced signing that many City fans have been calling out for. 59 of those appearances came at MK Dons, while another 20 were while on loan at Fleetwood.

Whether Jules forces his way into the City defence remains to be seen.

With another 4 weeks left of the transfer window, there is the possibility that more new arrivals will join the Grecians. The squad still looks short in the right back and forward positions and I personally feel that a physical presence in the midfield would benefit the squad.