[themaclad]

Port Vale and England Under-17 forward Baylee Dipepa has signed a contract extension with the League Two club, which runs until the summer of 2027.

The 17-year-old made his senior debut for Vale last season, and went on to score three goals in 26 appearances.

Valiants academy graduate Dipepa, who scored one goal in four appearances for Under-17 European Championships earlier this year, only signed his first professional deal with the club in January.

"Last season was a real breakthrough year for Baylee and he grasped every opportunity that came his way with both hands," Port Vale boss Darren Moore told the club website., external

“For such a young professional, Baylee has proven that he has all of the right attributes to become a real top-class player if he continues with his hard work and development."

[themaclad]

Port Vale have signed midfielder George Byers on a three-year contract following his release by Sheffield Wednesday.

The move will reunite him with Vale boss Darren Moore, who was in charge at Hillsborough from March 2021 to June 2023.

Byers scored one goal in 22 Championship appearances for Wednesday last season before being loaned to Blackpool.

He is the 10th summer signing made by Vale since last season's relegation from League One.

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Port Vale have signed Ruari Paton from Scottish Championship side Queen's Park for an undisclosed six-figure fee.

The Dublin-born striker has signed a three-year deal and is the 11th summer signing made by Vale since last season's relegation from League One.

"Ruari is a player that we’ve pursued for a good while now," said Vale boss Darren Moore.

"First and foremost, Ruari is a goalscorer. He’s a tenacious player who loves to work hard and won’t give opposition defenders a moment’s peace. And he is a wonderful personality with an undying will to push himself."

[themaclad]

Port Vale have signed defender Ben Heneghan on a two-year contract following his departure from fellow League Two club Fleetwood Town.

The 30-year-old 6ft 3in centre-back, who played under Vale boss Darren Moore at Sheffield Wednesday, becomes Vale's 12th summer signing.

“Ben is another player who I know really well from my time at Sheffield Wednesday," said Moore.

"He will add real competition to our defensive unit. He is an aggressive, aerially-dominant leader of a centre half and a brilliant character to have in and around the dressing room."

Heneghan, who began his career at Chester, left the Deva Stadium to go north of the border with Motherwell in 2016.

He has since made moves to Sheffield United, Blackpool (twice on loan), AFC Wimbledon, Wednesday and Fleetwood in making 339 career appearances and scoring 17 goals - including the last-minute injury-time winner in a televised Chester-Wrexham derby.

[themaclad]

Port Vale have made their 13th summer signing by bringing in England Under-20 striker Benicio Baker-Boaitey on loan from Premier League club Brighton.

The 20-year-old was on the books at West Ham and FC Porto before moving to Brighton in 2022.

He made his Seagulls debut in a Premier League match against Chelsea, since when he has made a further five first-team appearances - all off the bench.

"He has great skills and a competitive spirit that will immediately boost our attacking options," said Vale boss Darren Moore.

“Besides his talent on the field, Benicio has the right attitude and work ethic we look for at Port Vale. He’s eager to learn and push himself to be the best he can be."

Vale, relegated in April, start the new League Two season on Saturday with a trip to Salford.

[themaclad]

Port Vale have signed winger Diamond Edwards from Premier League club Southampton.

The 20-year-old has signed a one-year deal at Vale Park after successfully completing a trial period with the League Two club.

"Diamond has spent the majority of the summer on trial with us and has impressed throughout," said manager Darren Moore. "He is an exciting player who likes to play on the front foot and get at defenders to create chances."

Edwards, who made his debut in an EFL Cup tie at Cambridge in August 2022, appeared eight times for Southampton's Under-21s last season, scoring once.

It has not been disclosed whether a fee was paid for his transfer.

Vale, who have now made 13 signings since being relegated last season, began the 2024-25 campaign with a 2-0 win at Salford City on Saturday, before losing at Barrow in the EFL Cup on Tuesday night.

Moore's men face their first home game of the season this Saturday against Tranmere Rovers.

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Port Vale took their haul of summer signings to 16 as they made two deadline-day loan signings - Sheffield United striker Antwoine Hackford and Aston Villa midfielder Rico Richards.

The two 20-year-olds have both joined on season-long loans - while two players have left.

Teenage forward Baylee Dipepa, 17, has joined Premier League club Southampton's academy, external for a substantial undisclosed fee.

Vale also allowed Belgian midfielder Funso Ojo, 33, to join League One side Shrewsbury Town on loan for the season earlier in the evening.

Antwoine Hackford has made three senior appearances for Sheffield United

Hackford spent the second half of last season on loan in League One at Burton Albion.

He became the youngest-ever Premier League player in 2021 at the age of 16 years and 288 days when he played for the Blades against Crystal Palace - a record that has since been broken by Arsenal's Ethan Nwaneri in 2022.

Richards joined Villa last September after signing from West Bromwich Albion. He spent the second half of last season on loan with Stockport County, helping them to the League Two title.

Vale, relegated in April, have made an indifferent start to the new League Two season, having won only once in three games.

[themaclad]

League Two leaders Port Vale have signed former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Rekeem Harper as a free agent.

The 24-year-old began the season with League One side Burton Albion - but he came to a mutual agreement with the Brewers to be released from his contract on August transfer deadline day.

His deal with Vale runs until the end of the season.

Harper first worked with Vale head coach Darren Moore when he was in charge at Albion, for whom he made 41 appearances.

He was on the Baggies' books from 2016 to 2021, including loans with Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, before leaving to sign for Ipswich Town for £500,000.

But he made just 19 appearances in two years at Ipswich, which included loan spells at Crewe Alexandra and Exeter City.

He then moved on again to Burton in the summer of 2023, making 34 appearances - half of them off the bench.

Moore's men are currently four points clear at the top of League Two, having won five games on the spin going into Saturday's FA Cup first-round date with Barnsley.