[themaclad]

Burton Albion have signed Ben Whitfield on a two-year deal after the attacking midfielder turned down the offer of a new deal with League Two side Barrow.

The 28-year-old scored 17 goals in 91 appearances during his two years with the Bluebirds.

Joining Burton in League One will be a step up for Whitfield, who came through Bournemouth's academy and has gone on to play non-league football at Kidderminster, Torquay and Southport and in League Two with Yeovil, Port Vale and, most recently, Barrow.

"I’ve been in League Two for most of my career so this step up is something that I’m looking to cherish," Whitfield told Burton's website., external

"I had a very positive season last time out and I’m looking to continue that here."

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have signed Swedish forward Julian Larsson from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee.

The 23-year-old joined the Reds in January 2020 from Swedish top-flight side AIK but failed to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League club.

He regularly featured for Forest's under-21 side and scored one goal in two appearances for their in the EFL Trophy last season before joining League Two side Morecambe on loan in February.

Larsson is the sixth player to join Burton, who narrowly avoided relegation from League One last season, since the east Staffordshire club was taken over by Sweden-based Nordic Football Group.

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have signed England Under-20 midfielder Charlie Webster from Chelsea on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 20-year-old joined Chelsea as a junior and spent a decade with the Premier League club, rising through the youth ranks.

However, he never made a first-team appearance for the Blues and his first experience of senior football came with Heerenveen in the Dutch top flight last season.

He is reunited with Mark Robinson at the Pirelli Stadium after the former Chelsea development squad boss took over as head coach at the League One club earlier in June.

"When I knew Mark Robinson was going to become head coach here it was a big thing for me," Webster told the Burton website, external.

"At Chelsea we had a great relationship."


Burton's sporting director Bendik Hareide said the midfielder "brings a new dynamic" to the new-look squad.

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have made their eighth summer signing by bringing in Alex Bannon on a three-year deal from Scottish Championship side Queen’s Park.

The 20-year-old central defender, who can also play in midfield, made 30 league appearances last season as Queen’s Park just avoided relegation.

"He is a young, talented and modern defender whose skills and abilities will be a great addition," said Brewers sporting director Bendik Hareide.

"We are especially pleased to have fought off the interest of clubs in higher leagues to secure his signing.”

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have signed defender Udoka Godwin-Malife from Swindon Town on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old featured 43 times and was voted Swindon's players' player of the season in in his solitary campaign with the Robins.

He moved to the Wiltshire club from Forest Green Rovers, where he made more than 120 appearances in both League One and League Two over four seasons.

"Burton feel like the right move for me in this stage in my career," Godwin-Malife told the club website., external

“Playing in League One again is also an important factor for me joining, because I back myself with my capabilities and qualities to cope and progress at the level."

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have signed striker Danilo Orsi from Crawley Town on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old scored 25 league goals in 50 matches as the Reds secured promotion to League One last season, netting in their play-off final win against Crewe Alexandra at Wembley.

Burton survived relegation from League One on the final day of the season and have brought in Mark Robinson to replace Martin Paterson as head coach.

The Brewers host Lincoln City at the Pirelli Stadium on the opening day of the season, while Crawley's first match in League One since 2015 will be at home to Blackpool.

"I love scoring goals, being in and around the box and getting on the end of things. I love to work hard for the team, running, pressing, high-energy, giving 110% every week and just enjoying playing my football," Orsi told Burton's website., external

Much of Orsi's career has been spent playing non-league football at the likes of Hungerford Town, Hampton & Richmond Borough and Maidenhead United before he moved to Harrogate Town in 2021.

A short loan spell at Boreham Wood was followed by a season at Grimsby Town, before he moved to Crawley last summer.

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have made Chelsea's Dylan Williams their 12th signing of the summer with the full-back joining on a season-long loan.

The Brewers have brought the 20-year-old to the Pirelli Stadium with the view to signing the former Derby County defender on a permanent contract at the end of the season.

Williams, who left Burton's near neighbours for Stamford Bridge when the Rams were in administration in 2022, is reunited with former Chelsea Under-21 boss Mark Robinson.

"I was with Mark at Chelsea and he’s such a great guy, he’s probably one of the most honest guys I’ve ever met," Williams told the club website., external

In his time at Chelsea, Williams did not make a senior appearance for the club.

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have taken their total of summer signings to 13 after signing Billy Bodin following his exit from Oxford United.

The 32-year-old Wales international has signed a two-year deal with the refurbished Brewers.

After starting at Swindon Town, the former Torquay United, Crewe Alexandra, Northampton Town, Bristol Rovers and Preston North End striker has hit 80 career goals, including nine last season to help Oxford win promotion.

[themaclad]

Burton Albion have taken their total of summer additions to 14 after signing defender Jack Armer from Carlisle United.

23-year-old Armer have both signed two-year deals with the rebuilding Brewers.

Armer, who came through Preston North End's youth ranks, moves to the Pirelli Stadium for an undisclosed fee and has a further 12-month option on his contract.

[themaclad]

Burton Albion midfielder Ciaran Gilligan has signed a new three-year deal with the League One club.

The 22-year-old's contract extension comes just weeks after the Brewers took up an option on his previous deal, external in May to keep him at the club.

Gilligan has made 59 senior appearances for the club since first emerging from the east Staffordshire club's youth ranks in 2020.

"To sign for three years feels great as it shows I'm a part of their plans moving forward," Gilligan told the club website., external

“Obviously there's a lot of new faces at the club at the moment so you can be a bit unsure, but to get the call and hear that I'm going to be a part of this project going forward feels great."

Burton avoided relegation to League Two on the final day of last season and have since been taken over by the Sweden-based Nordic Football Group.