Long-time target Joel Randall has become Wanderers’ first major new signing of the January transfer window as the Whites further strengthen for a sustained League One challenge in the second half of the season.
Wanderers have paid a substantial undisclosed fee to secure the services of the attacking midfielder on a three-and-a-half-year contract from Peterborough United.
The Whites have been regular admirers of Randall, with manager Ian Evatt delighted to conclude a deal for a player who will bring an added extra attacking dimension to his team for the remainder of the current campaign and beyond.
Evatt said: “We worked very hard to try and get him here in the summer. It ended up being unachievable, but things change quickly in football and once we knew we had the potential to make it happen we wanted to work quickly to try and secure his services.
“It's a big signing for us, short and long term. He's a top player who can play in a number of different positions which is important for us.
“We feel the role Paris (Maghoma) played for us in particular last season, being able to receive the ball in tight spaces, dribble, break down low blocks and create, is Joel’s game, so he’s going to add a lot to us.
“The Board has always tried to help us move the team forward and improve the team. This is a player I've admired for a long time, so it was great that they have supported me to make this happen.”
Salisbury-born Randall has proved himself one of the most potent performers in his position in League One over the past couple of years after initially joining Peterborough as a Championship club from Exeter City in August, 2021.
The 25-year-old, who developed through the youth system and a number of early loan moves to make his EFL bow with Exeter, went on to make 109 appearances in all competitions for the Posh, scoring 19 times in the past two seasons and contributing 13 assists.
Twelve of his goals came last season – including an impressive solo effort against Wanderers on the final day of the regular campaign – as he helped Darren Ferguson’s side reach the League One play-offs for a second successive year and win the EFL Trophy at Wembley.
Randall – son of former Burnley, Bury and York City midfielder Adrian – then signed a new deal last summer and this season has scored seven times, as well as being among his side’s leading chance creators, in 25 appearances before being allowed to end his successful stay at London Road.
He now becomes a major new addition to Wanderers’ attacking midfield options as someone who will greatly enhance Evatt’s squad as a player capable of running past opponents, linking play and with the athleticism and guile to open up defences to create chances for himself and others.
Having signed up until June, 2028, Randall’s arrival early in the January window in squad number 31 underlines Wanderers’ commitment to keep improving their team and sustaining a promotion push in League One.