​Here is a club-by-club guide to the summer 2026 transfers in Scotland’s second tier, covering each team from the Premiership club’s activity to the lower divisions. This overview highlights who arrived and who departed during the summer of 2026, with a separate note for January business in the Championship. Where there are loans in or out, those details are included as well.
Premiership club: summer 2026 arrivals and departures
– In: Andy Winter, forward; Michael McKenna, midfielder; Scott McGill, midfielder; Brody Paterson, defender; Stuart Morrison, defender (all listed as incoming from various clubs or undisclosed terms). These signings broaden attacking options and bolster the defensive line, adding depth across midfield and defence.
– Out: Harry Cochrane, midfielder; Jack Wilkie, defender; Dapo Mebude, forward; Victor Enem, defender; Ally Spalding, midfielder; Aaron Muirhead, defender; Ross Callachan, midfielder. The club let go a mix of midfielders, defenders, and a forward, shaking up the squad balance ahead of the new campaign.
Scottish League 1 club: summer 2026 arrivals and departures
– In: Kian Corbally, midfielder (from Ballymena United, undisclosed terms); Musa Dibaga, goalkeeper (from Crusaders, undisclosed); Luke Robinson, defender (from Wigan Athletic); Oli Shaw, forward (from Hamilton Academical). These inbound moves add competition and options in midfield, goalkeeping, and forward positions.
– Out: John Rankin, interim manager; Lucas McRoberts, forward; George Oakley, forward; Ben Dempsey, midfielder; David Mitchell, goalkeeper; Scott Tomlinson, midfielder; David Craig, midfielder; Curtis Main, forward; Anton Dowds, forward; Stuart Bannigan, midfielder. A mixture of personnel departures across management and several positions, signaling a period of transition and restructuring.
Scottish League 2 club: summer 2026 arrivals and departures
– In: Kian Corbally, midfielder; Musa Dibaga, goalkeeper; Luke Robinson, defender; Oli Shaw, forward. The club recruited across midfield, goalkeeping, defence, and attack, aiming to strengthen core areas.
– Out: (Details not specified in the summary provided for this club; departures may include multiple squads across positions, potentially in line with budget and tactical shifts.)
Championship club: January 2026 moves (mid-season updates)
– In: In January, the club brought in Gary Naysmith as manager (Stenhousemuir); Ben Summers, midfielder (Celtic, loan to permanent); Luke McBeth, defender (Partick Thistle, undisclosed); Ross Taylor, forward (Stenhousemuir, undisclosed); Kieran Shanks, forward (Peterhead, undisclosed); Reece Lyon, midfielder (Queen of the South). These signings reflect a mid-season refresh to the squad, with a new manager overseeing strategic changes and several players arriving to strengthen the midfield and attack.
– Out: Harry Cochrane, midfielder (Greenock Morton); Jack Wilkie, defender (Livingston); Dapo Mebude, forward (Airdrieonians); Victor Enem, defender (Cove Rangers); Ally Spalding, midfielder (East Kilbride); Aaron Muirhead, defender (Annan Athletic); Ross Callachan, midfielder. A broad cull across several positions to recalibrate the squad balance mid-season.
Championship club: January 2026 loan activity
– In: Loan in: Harry Stone, goalkeeper (Heart of Midlothian); Owen Stirton, forward (Dundee United). These loan moves provide short-term reinforcement in goal and attacking options, with the potential for further development during the January window.
– Out: (Several players were moved on a permanent basis or into other loans during January, including permanent departures and short-term loan endings as part of the mid-season realignment.)
Additional notes on January and loan activity
– In: Sam Cleall-Harding, defender (Dundee United) joined on a loan to bolster defensive options.
– Out: Matty Todd, midfielder; Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, defender (Wigan Athletic, undisclosed); Sam Young, defender; Chris Hamilton, midfielder; Sam Fisher, defender; Keiran Ngwenya, defender; Deniz Mehmet, goalkeeper; Tashan Oakley-Boothe, midfielder; Ewan Otoo, defender; Kane Ritchie-Hosler, forward; Liam Hoggan, defender. A substantial number of exits at various levels indicate a wider restructuring and a drive to recalibrate the squad’s core strengths.
Loan activity across the period
– In: Sam Cleall-Harding (defender, on loan from Dundee United).
– Loan ended: Several players returned or completed their loan spells, including Graham Carey (midfielder, Livingston); Aston Oxborough (goalkeeper, Motherwell); Olly Thomas (forward, Bristol City). The ending of these loans opens up roster spots for new signings or promotions from the academy.
In summary
– Across the leagues and windows, clubs pursued a mix of midfielders, defenders, forwards, and goalkeepers to strengthen positions, with several managerial changes and mid-season refreshes designed to improve competitiveness.
– The transfers included a blend of permanent deals, undisclosed terms, and loan arrangements, as clubs aimed to balance budget constraints with the need to adapt to the evolving competitive landscape in Scotland’s second tier and its neighboring divisions.
If you’d like, I can tailor this into a concise club-by-club snapshot with bullet points for each team, or expand on the implications of key signings and departures for each club’s tactical setup and season outlook.