Port Vale have continued their recruitment drive before the new season by signing defenders Aaron McGowan and Lewis Montsma on one-year deals. It is a straightforward bit of business, but one that gives the club added depth at the back as preparations step up.
McGowan arrives after his contract with Tranmere Rovers ended this summer, while Montsma comes in after his Dundee deal expired. Both players bring recent experience from the English and Scottish game, and both now get the chance to settle quickly at Vale Park.
McGowan offers familiar experience
For McGowan, this is a move that adds another layer of familiarity to the Port Vale set-up. He had previously played under Jon Brady at Northampton Town, and that connection may help him settle into the squad more quickly.
The 30-year-old also arrives with a positive recent memory from the 2022-23 season, when he helped Northampton Town win promotion to League One. That is the sort of background Port Vale will value as they look to build a stronger defensive unit before the campaign begins.
Montsma brings proven pedigree
Montsma, 28, also arrives with a solid body of work behind him. Before his move to Dundee, he made 108 appearances and scored 11 goals for Lincoln City, after joining the Imps in July 2020.
He later signed for Dundee on a six-month deal in February, and his summer departure has now opened the door for Port Vale. For a club still shaping its squad, that is the kind of addition that can help raise both competition and experience in the defensive line.
What it means for Port Vale
The key point is that Port Vale have added two defenders who are ready to contribute immediately. One-year deals suggest a club looking for flexibility, but also one that wants reliable players in place before the new season gets underway.
It is not a dramatic headline, but it is the sort of measured recruitment that can matter over the course of a long season. If Port Vale are to make progress, shoring up the back line is a sensible place to start.
