[themaclad]

Exeter have signed defender Jack McMillan on a two-year deal following his departure from Partick Thistle at the end of last season.

McMillan made 89 appearances for the Scottish Championship side over two years at the club.

The 26-year-old, who plays mainly as a right-back, started out in Motherwell's academy and has also spent time at Livingston.

The move links McMillan back up with Grecians boss Gary Caldwell, who signed him initially on loan at Partick Thistle in 2019.

"I really liked how he [Caldwell] worked in terms of position and things I could take forward into the next season at Livingston," McMillan told the Exeter website, external.

"It's great to see familiar faces because you already have that mutual respect.

"I'm a player who likes to do the basics well and hard work is always the minimum for me. I'm quite an attacking full-back and deliver crosses for the strikers.

"I always look at numbers and I hope to get lots of assists - and hopefully a few goals - for the team."

[themaclad]

Exeter City have signed Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis on a one-year deal.

The 33-year-old forward was released by Wigan Athletic at the end of last season after scoring 10 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions in the 2023-24 campaign.

Magennis has 79 caps for his country on and has previously had spells at Hull City, Bolton Wanderers and Charlton Athletic.

"He is a real proven goalscorer at this level, and the level above, as well as having great international pedigree with Northern Ireland. His experience will be of huge benefit to our younger forwards," said boss Gary Caldwell told the Exeter website, external.

[themaclad]

Exeter City have signed striker Jay Bird after his departure from Scottish side Arbroath.

Bird, 23, who scored ten goals last season, has agreed a one-year contract with a club option of a further year.

“Seeing the names on the training ground wall of who has come through the academy, and myself coming through at MK Dons, they are so important and it attracted me to the club that there is a pathway you are able to pursue," he told the Exeter club website.

Bird began his career at MK Dons, with a loan spell at Wealdstone, and spent time at Dagenham & Redbridge before moving to Scotland.

[themaclad]

Exeter City have signed striker Jay Bird from Scottish side Arbroath and Hull City midfielder Ryan Woods.

Bird, 23, who scored 10 goals last season, has agreed a one-year contract with a club option of a further year.

Woods, 30, played 14 times on loan at City last season and left Hull earlier this week.

He has agreed a two-year deal with the League One side.

"Woodsy was our number one target of the summer," City manager Gary Caldwell told the club website., external

"I remember at Port Vale at the end of last season I grabbed him and shouted ‘one more year’ for him, and fortunately we've got him for a bit longer."

Bird, meanwhile, began his career at MK Dons, with a loan spell at Wealdstone, and spent time at Dagenham & Redbridge before moving to Scotland.

"Seeing the names on the training ground wall of who has come through the academy, they are so important and it attracted me to the club that there is a pathway you are able to pursue," he said.

[themaclad]

Exeter City have signed midfielder Ed Francis for an undisclosed fee from National League side Gateshead.

Francis, 24, made 41 appearances across all competitions for the Tynesiders last campaign as they finished inside the play-off places.

He has penned a two-year deal at St James Park with the option for a third and is the club's fifth signing of the summer.

“Ed is a left-footed player who is technically very gifted and we see him as someone who has a big future as our number six,” manager Gary Caldwell said.

“He actually started out as a centre-back and transitioned when he signed for Harrogate, and is someone who is at a perfect stage of his career to continue his development and improve as a player.

“Most importantly, he was desperate to sign for us.”

The Grecians get their League One campaign under way on 10 August when they face Rotherham United at home.

[themaclad]

Exeter City have signed Crystal Palace goalkeeper Joe Whitworth on a season-long loan deal.

The 20-year-old featured for Palace last season in the Premier League Two and has played for England at under U15, U16 and U18 level.

He made two Premier League first-team appearances in the 2022-23 season away at Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal.

"We felt like it was another good avenue to go down in loaning a top Premier League goalkeeper," manager Gary Caldwell told the club website, external.

“Joe fits that profile, he was their player of the season last year in the under-21s and he’s got the experience of being in the first team too which is fantastic at his young age.

“He’s really good with his feet and he’s someone who can help with how we build in our possession-based style. But most importantly, Joe’s also a fantastic shot-stopper and has a great personality."

Whitworth is the Grecians' sixth addition of the summer transfer window.

[themaclad]

Exeter City midfielder Reece Cole has signed a contract extension with the League One club.

The 26-year-old who moved to St James Park last summer after a spell at non-league Hayes & Yeading, will now stay at the Grecians until the summer of 2026.

City also have an option to extend the former Brentford, Dunfermline and Partick Thistle player's deal until 2027.

Cole scored seven goals in 42 appearances last season and agreed a contract extension until 2025 in November, going on to be one of the club's best players last season.

“Reece has shown in one season how good he is but we still believe he has even more potential and even more to grow into as a player," Exeter boss Gary Caldwell told the club website.

“Hopefully he can do that over the number of years he’s going to be here.”

[themaclad]

Exeter City midfielder Reece Cole has signed a contract extension with the League One club.

The Grecians have also signed 21-year-old centre-back Johnly Yfeko on a season-long loan from Rangers, which includes an option to buy at the end.

Cole, 26, who moved to St James Park last summer after a spell at non-league Hayes & Yeading, will now stay until the summer of 2026.

City also have an option to extend the former Brentford, Dunfermline and Partick Thistle player's deal until 2027.

Cole scored seven goals in 42 appearances last season and agreed a contract extension until 2025 in November, going on to be one of the club's best players last season.

"Reece has shown in one season how good he is but we still believe he has even more potential and even more to grow into as a player," Exeter boss Gary Caldwell told the club website.

"Hopefully he can do that over the number of years he's going to be here."

Yfeko becomes Exeter's seventh signing of the summer

[themaclad]

Defender Tristan Crama has joined Exeter City on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brentford.

The 22-year-old centre-back spent last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, where he made 27 appearances in League One.

Crama started his career at French side Beziers before moving to Brentford's development squad in 2020.

The Frenchman, who is yet to play a senior game for the Bees, is the ninth addition of the summer transfer window for Grecians manager Gary Caldwell.

"Tristan is someone that I've kept track of," Caldwell said.

"He had a fantastic loan last season with Bristol Rovers in this league so he's gained good experience at this level and I believe he's someone who's ready to be a fantastic defender for us this season."

[themaclad]

Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell has signed a new contract at the League One club.

Caldwell was appointed as the club's boss in October 2022 and guided the Grecians to finish 14th in the league in his first season.

The former Scotland international defender's side then finished one place higher in the division last season.

“I feel really proud and thankful that the board have given me the opportunity to continue building and developing this brilliant football club," Caldwell told Exeter City's website., external

“It’s nearly been two years since I joined the football club, and there’s been a lot of progress made during that time and to continue that journey and development taking the club even higher is really exciting.”


Caldwell has made steady progress with Exeter after being sacked from his previous management spells at Wigan Athletic, Chesterfield and Partick Thistle.

The club's chair Nick Hawker added: “We’re delighted that Gary has extended his contract.

"It’s been incredibly rewarding to witness the progress Gary and his team have made."

The length of the new contract has not been disclosed.