​Here is a rewritten version of your club-by-club guide to the summer 2026 transfers in Scotland’s third tier, covering each division and summarizing arrivals and departures for the summer 2026 window, plus the January 2026 changes for the League 1 clubs. It lists who has been brought in and who has left, including permanent moves and loan deals, and with a focus on making it clearer and more SEO-friendly for better discoverability.
Premiership club activity this summer included a wave of arrivals and exits as teams reshaped their squads. In the January window, Ayr United appointed John Rankin as head coach. Their new signings also included Henry James, a defender from Heart of Midlothian; Ewan Simpson, a midfielder from Aston Villa; Matty Yates, a forward from Linfield; Sam Fisher, a defender from Dunfermline Athletic; and Dapo Mebude, a forward from Arbroath. On the outgoing side, Ayr United said goodbye to head coach Aaron Taylor-Sinclair and saw a raft of departures: Chris Mochrie (midfielder to St Mirren), Aaron Reid (forward to Crusaders), Charlie Telfer (midfielder to Raith Rovers), Euan Henderson (forward to Partick Thistle), Dom Thomas (forward to Hamilton Academical), Lewis Strapp (defender to Ross County), Jamie Barjonas (midfielder to Montrose), Sean McGinty (defender to Montrose), Rhys Armstrong (midfielder to East Kilbride), Cammy Cooper (forward to Annan Athletic), David Hutton (retired as goalkeeper), and additional exits including Dean McMaster (midfielder), Jake Hastie (forward), Alex King (midfielder), Lewis McGrattan (midfielder), and Aidan Wilson (defender). Several loan spells concluded as Owen Stirton (forward to Dundee United), Sam Cleall-Harding (defender to Dundee United), Harry Stone (goalkeeper to Heart of Midlothian), Charlie McArthur (defender to Newcastle United), and Scott Constable (defender to Dundee United) returned from loan or ended. New permanent signings included Flynn McCafferty (midfielder from Falkirk) and Ross Stewart (goalkeeper from Queen of the South). Outgoings in the summer noted Conor Sammon’s retirement, Kalvin Orsi (forward to Hamilton Academical), Reece Mullen (midfielder to Caledonian Braves), David McKay (defender to The Spartans), Daniel Church (defender), Tochukwu Ogayi (goalkeeper), and Andy Clarke (midfielder). The summer loan endings included Calum Adamson (midfielder returning from Rangers), Josh Gentles (forward to Rangers), Callum Burnside (forward to Rangers), Lewis Stewart (forward to Rangers), Charlie Dewar (defender to Dundee United), and Liam McFarlane (goalkeeper to Heart of Midlothian). A separate loan out saw Jack Robertson (goalkeeper) head to Banks O’ Dee. In the latest updates, Ayr United welcomed Derek Gaston back as goalkeeper from Stirling Albion, Myles Gaffney moved to Annan Athletic on loan becoming permanent, and Cammie Ross arrived as a forward from Bonnyrigg Rose.
Championship club movements this summer followed a similar pattern of strategic recruitment and departures. In January, the club added depth with the arrivals of Aaron Fraser (midfielder from Aberdeen) and Tristan Stephen (forward from Aberdeen). They also brought in Victor Enem (defender from Arbroath), Jordan White (forward from Ross County), Destiny Oladipo (forward from East Fife), Max Berry (midfielder from Peterhead), and Mark Souter (defender from Inverurie Locos). Departures included Declan Glass (midfielder to Montrose), Mitch Megginson (forward to Peterhead), Blair Yule (midfielder to Peterhead), Grady McGrath (forward to Banks O’Dee), David Eguaibor (forward), Justin Eguaibor (defender), and Mackenzie Strachan (midfielder) moving on. Loan spell conclusions included Lewis O’Donnell (to Dundee United) and further loans ended for Lewis Carrol (Aberdeen, defender), Cooper Masson (Aberdeen, midfielder), Joseph Teasdale (Aberdeen, forward), and Adam Emslie (Ross County, midfielder). A separate loan exit saw Jack Robertson move to Banks O’ Dee. The club continued strengthening with incoming signings such as Derek Gaston (goalkeeper from Stirling Albion) and a loan-to-permanent move for Myles Gaffney from Annan Athletic; Cammie Ross joined as a forward from Bonnyrigg Rose to bolster attacking options.
For Scottish League 2, the summer saw a mix of new faces and departures as clubs sought promotion and stability. In January, the squad added a series of players to sharpen depth across positions, while several players departed to other leagues or clubs at the same level. Loan deals were common, with several youngsters returning to parent clubs or seeking playing time elsewhere. The inbound players included midfielders, defenders, and forwards from a range of clubs, with a focus on balancing experience with youth. Departures encompassed senior players moving on to new challenges and a handful of loanees returning to their parent sides or transitioning to other teams at the same level.
Scottish League 1 clubs also underwent substantial January movement to improve competitiveness. Incoming reinforcements included a mix of midfielders, forwards, and defenders, some arriving from fellow Scottish sides and others from lower divisions or loanees from higher-tier teams. Departures featured a blend of established players leaving for new opportunities, plus a number of youngsters and loan players returning to parent clubs. The January window emphasized sharpening the squad for the second half of the season, with several players coming in on short-term deals to make an immediate impact.
In summary, the summer 2026 transfer window across Scotland’s third tier—and the January 2026 window particularly for League 1—saw a coordinated effort by clubs to refresh squads, balance experience with youth, and optimize both permanent signings and loan arrangements. The notable changes included head coach appointments, defenders and attackers shifting between clubs, and a broad array of midseason loans that supported tactical flexibility and squad depth. The net effect is a more dynamic and competitive landscape across Premiership, Championship, and League 2, with clubs aiming for improved form, promotion push, and sustainable squad development into the 2026-27 season.