Chesterfield-linked player signs for League Two rival

The Spireites made a bid for Ilkeston Town forward, Tom Cursons, but he has now signed for Harrogate Town on a two-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old has scored 23 goals in all competitions for the Northern Premier League club this season and there was reported interested from Derby County, Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley and Peterborough United.

Following his departure, Interestingly, Ilkeston chairman, Andrew Nally, said: “Over the past few months interest has been growing in the player from the footballing world, but the club didn’t simply want to sell to the first bidder, nor necessarily to the highest bidder and we have carefully chosen this deal, in what we think is right for all parties.”

Cursons departs as the top goalscorer in the Northern Premier League as he signs his first contract in full-time football. He said: “I’m delighted, the chance to play full-time football in the EFL is something I’ve dreamed of, so to be here now with it all signed feels really good.”

Harrogate’s head of player recruitment, Lloyd Kerry, said: “We’ve been aware of Tom for a while now, he’s got a great reputation as a goalscorer, is current top scorer in his league and we’re delighted he’s chosen to sign for us. We like his profile, he’s robust, mobile and we were really impressed with what we saw when we’ve been to watch him.”

In other news, James Berry is having a medical at Wycombe Wanderers ahead of a proposed move, while a deal for Kyle McFadzean to join from Blackburn Rovers is edging closer.