Linfield transfer window review
- Published
2024-25 League position: Champions
Manager: David Healy
Next five fixtures: Portadown (H) - 6 September; Glentoran (A) - 12 September; Ballymen United (A) - 16 September; Glenavon (H) - 20 September; Bangor (A) - 27 September
Linfield, like Larne, have had a relatively quiet summer transfer window in terms of incomings, but they have lost two of their key players from their Gibson Cup winning campaign.
They have added just four players in defender Sean Brown, midfielder Isaac Baird and forwards Matt Yates and Sam Taylor to try and boost their squad depth.
Baird appears to be the most exciting of those four additions when he can get up to match sharpness, although Yates and Taylor should provide good cover if the in-form Kieran Offord or Matthew Fitzpatrick suffer injuries.
The loss of Joel Cooper, which the Blues knew about from January is a blow and they have not moved to find a direct replacement, although that seems to have worked so far with Offord becoming their talisman with a run of games.
It is Nottingham Forest's deadline day acquisition of Orr which looks like it could prove more problematic.
The 18-year-old was a mainstay in their defence since breaking through last season and the late move meant David Healy's side did not have time to bring in an adequate replacement.
They already looked a bit light in central defence before last season's Young Player of the Year moved to England and Chris Shields may have to step into that role if they suffer any injuries.
With the fee banked from Orr, they may look to address that problem in January or promote from within giving the success the young defender had last year when thrust into the first team.
2025-26 signings so far: Sean Brown (Larne), Matt Yates (Stenhousemuir), Sam Taylor (loan, Tranmere Rovers), Isaac Baird (Glenavon)
2025-26 departures so far: Joel Cooper, Stephen Fallon (both Coleraine), Darragh McBrien (Dungannon Swifts), Ethan Devine (H&W Welders), Rhys McGarry (Ballyclare Comrades), Kalum Thompson (Nottingham Forest), Liam Burns (Bangor), Rhys Annett (Portadown, loan), Ryan McKay (Carrick Rangers, loan), Matthew Orr (Nottingham Forest)