[themaclad]

Defender Jack Simpson has signed a one-year contract extension with Leyton Orient.

The 27-year-old joined the O's in February on a short-term deal after being released by Cardiff City last August.

His departure from the Bluebirds followed a six-game ban and £8,000 fine by the FA after he admitted using racist language to a team-mate during Cardiff's pre-season trip to Portugal.

At the time of his signing, Orient chairman Nigel Travis said Simpson "deserved a second chance" and that the player had taken "full responsibility for his actions".

Simpson made his O's debut against Cheltenham in early April and made five appearances in total helping the club finish comfortably in mid-table this season in League One.

“I have really enjoyed my three months here so far – it has been an incredible experience in so many different ways – and I felt like I became part of the club and its community straight away," Simpson said., external

"I’ve had to show who I am as a person and getting out in the local area felt special and it helped me learn what this club is all about.

“I’m really grateful to the club for showing faith in me and next season we want to improve on how we did this year."

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient defender Dan Happe has signed a new two-year contract.

The 25-year-old has spent his entire career at the O's, having come up through their academy.

He has made 206 appearances since his debut in 2017 and has helped Orient to promotions from the National League and League Two.

“Leyton Orient means a lot to me and it is like my second home," Happe told the club website.

"I still love playing for the club and coming into work every day, so it was a no-brainer for me to sign."

Orient head coach Richie Wellens added: "He is a fantastic defender and brilliant person as well.

"Quality left-footed centre-backs are sought-after commodities in the game and we are lucky to have two of them in him and Jack Simpson.

“As well as defending, Happs is a big part of how we play on the ball. He starts a lot of our attacks with his distribution from the back.

"He can still get even better and next season I would like him to be more aggressive and to get himself a goal or two.”

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient defender Tom James has signed a new two-year deal with the League One club.

The 28-year-old Welshman has made 120 appearances for the O's since arriving in 2021, scoring nine goals.

He played 41 times as Orient won the League Two title with 91 points in 2022-23.

The O's finished 11th in League Two last season, 11 points off a play-off place.

"There was a lot of positives from last season in our first season back in League One," James told the club's website., external

"We solidified ourselves in the league, and I think we were unlucky to fall off a little bit in the end.

"We showed last season we can go toe-to-toe with the bigger teams in this league, and we had some great results. There's no reason why we can't have more times like that again this season, and we go into the season full of confidence."

James began his career at Cardiff City before joining Yeovil Town in 2017 and then moving to Scotland with Hibernian in 2019.

He spent time on loan at Wigan Athletic and Salford City before joining Orient.

[themaclad]

Leeds United's Sonny Perkins has joined League One side Leyton Orient on a season-long loan.

Perkins was previously part of the Orient academy before moving away to West Ham at U15's level.

The 20-year-old joined Leeds in 2022 and spent the first half of last season on loan at Oxford United before heading back to Leeds in January.

"It's really special to be back," Perkins said., external

"I've been here so many times in the stands and as a ball boy and I'm looking forward to getting out on the pitch in front of the fans for the first time.

"Having people who have known me for a long time made the decision easier to come back here."

Perkins has made 20 appearances for England's youth sides, scoring on 12 occasions.

"Sonny has a superb amount of natural ability," said Orient head coach Richie Wellens.

"We're really pleased to see him join us here at Leyton Orient. He is highly-rated by Leeds, and we're excited to see what he can do for us going forwards."

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have brought QPR forward Charlie Kelman back to east London on a season-long loan.

Kelman was part of Orient’s League Two championship-winning side during his first spell on loan at the club during the 2022/23 campaign.

The 22-year-old, who scored seven goals in 43 appearances that season, becomes the O’s second loan signing in as many days following the arrival of Leeds striker Sonny Perkins.

“It was a no-brainer,” said Kelman., external “Everyone knows how special this club is, and the day we won the league was amazing. That whole season was special.

“You look where the club was, in the National League, almost going bust and now looking forward to a second season in League One – it’s a testament to everyone.”

Kelman, who joined QPR from Southend in 2020, spent the second half of last season on loan at Wigan, where he scored three goals in 14 games.

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have signed winger Diallang Jaiyesimi from Charlton Athletic on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old made 64 appearances and scored three goals for the Addicks and spent last season on loan at Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.

Jaiyesimi becomes the third summer signing for the O's after Sonny Perkins arrived from Leeds and Charlie Kelman rejoined the club on loan from QPR.

"I've admired the club for a long time. It's really good to be here and I'm looking forward to it," he told Orient's website., external

"I'm ready to go right now if we could, but we've got a long pre-season ahead of us, and I'm ready to get back to work."

Leyton Orient's League One season begins away at home to Bolton on Saturday, 10 August.

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient winger Theo Archibald has signed a new one-year deal with the League One club.

The 26-year-old Scot has scored 15 goals in 117 appearances for the O's since joining the club initially on loan from Lincoln City in 2021.

He played 36 times in all competitions last season, as his side finished 11th in the third tier.

"I've seen the club grow substantially in the time that I've been here, and the project isn't finished yet," he told the club's website., external

"With the manager signing his new contract, I have really enjoyed playing for him. The squad is looking good, and I'm looking forward to being part of it again."

Boss Richie Wellens signed a new three-year contract with the club in May.

Archibald came through the academy at Celtic and spent time on loan at Albion Rovers, before moving permanently to Brentford in 2017.

A loan spell at Forest Green Rovers followed, before permanent transfers to Macclesfield Town and then Lincoln.

Goalkeeper Noah Phillips, 19, has signed his first professional contract, external at Leyton Orient, on a one-year deal.

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have signed midfielder Lewis Warrington from Everton on a two-year deal.

Having come through the academy, the 21-year-old made his Premier League debut for the Toffees in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United in May.

Warrington spent the second half of 2021-22 on loan at Tranmere Rovers before joining Fleetwood Town on loan the following season, where he made 44 appearances and scored one goal.

He becomes the fourth summer signing for the O's, on a free transfer.

"As soon as I heard that Orient were interested I wanted to get down here and sign," he told the club's website., external

"My decision was made easy after I met the gaffer [Richie Wellens] and, although there was other interest, I only ever wanted to come here after speaking to him.

"He was a midfielder himself, so I'm looking forward to learning from him. It feels like this club is on an upward trajectory and I'm really excited to be part of it."

Orient begin the League One season at home against Bolton Wanderers on 10 August.

[themaclad]

Leyton Orient have signed Wigan Athletic right-back Sean Clare for an undisclosed fee.

The 27-year-old was a regular for the Latics in League One last season and also has league experience with Sheffield Wednesday, Gillingham, Heart of Midlothian, Oxford United and Charlton Athletic as well as loan spells with Accrington Stanley and Burton Albion.

Clare still had two years to run on his Wigan contract after joining them last summer, and has signed a three-year deal at the Gaughan Group Stadium.

Head coach Richie Wellens told the club website:, external “In that right-back area, he will give us a lot of options. He will provide competition for Tom James and also gives Jayden Sweeney competition, as TJ can play both sides.”

Clare is Orient's fifth signing of the summer transfer window following the arrivals of Sonny Perkins, Charlie Kelman, Diallang Jaiyesimi and Lewis Warrington.

[themaclad]

Middlesbrough goalkeeper Zach Hemming has joined Leyton Orient on a season-long loan.

The 24-year-old has spent the last three seasons playing north of the border in Scotland on loan at Kilmarnock and St Mirren.

Hemming made 46 appearances for St Mirren in all competitions as they finished fifth in the Premiership last season.

He becomes the sixth summer signing for the O's.

"I'm really pleased to sign for the club and can't wait to start contributing to the team as much as I can," he told Orient's website., external

"I really enjoyed my time in Scotland and now I want to come down here and show what I can do."

Hemming came through the Boro academy but has not made a senior appearance for the club.

He spent time on loan at Hartlepool and Blyth Spartans before beginning a two-year stint at Kilmarnock in 2021, where he made 54 appearances.

The O's begin the new League One season at home to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, 10 August.