Northampton miss Deadline Day signing after striker 'forgot' to sign DocuSign

February 05, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Northampton miss Deadline Day signing after striker 'forgot' to sign DocuSign

Kevin Nolan has revealed how Northampton Town missed out on a crucial Deadline Day signing after a striker failed to complete transfer paperwork in time.

The Cobblers boss admitted the club were "gutted" after two forward targets slipped away during the final hours of the window - one due to a Premier League club blocking a move, and the other in far more bizarre circumstances involving unsigned documents.

Two loans secured, but attacking reinforcements missed

Northampton did complete two pieces of business, bringing in midfielder Kyle McAdam and defender Ben Hammond on loan from Nottingham Forest.

However, Nolan had hoped to strengthen further in attack as the club battles to climb out of the League One relegation zone.

Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton after Tuesday night's 2-2 draw at Barnsley, Nolan explained how close the club came to landing two strikers.

We were talking to two strikers and we were working right until the last minute to get them done.

Premier League knock-on effect blocks one deal

One move collapsed due to circumstances higher up the football pyramid.

According to Nolan, the selling club were waiting on their own business to be completed before allowing the player to leave.

Unfortunately one wasn't allowed to come out and that was down to the knock-on effect. The Championship has to wait for the Premier League and League One has to wait for the Championship.

Because the club we were speaking to didn't get what they wanted, the player wasn't allowed to come to us, which was disappointing.

The situation highlights how lower-league sides can be impacted by late-window dealings in the Premier League and Championship, leaving clubs like Northampton vulnerable as deadlines approach.

DocuSign drama ends second transfer

The second failed transfer proved even more frustrating.

The unnamed striker was unable to travel to Sixfields Stadium or the club's Moulton training base before the 7pm EFL deadline.

Northampton sent the necessary documents electronically via DocuSign, but the player did not complete them in time.

Another one forgot to sign the Docusign we sent to them, would you believe, and we weren't able to get the extension for it, which was gutting.

We were incredibly frustrated, as frustrated as everyone else was.

Without the signed paperwork, the EFL could not ratify the deal, and the move collapsed once the window shut.

Nolan backs squad despite setback

Despite the disappointment, Nolan insisted he retains full faith in his squad.

Northampton's point at Barnsley came courtesy of goals from defenders, underlining his belief that contributions must come from across the pitch.

I've always felt that to be a successful side you have to share the goals around.

We had two defenders popping up with vital goals tonight and we need to have goals all over the team.

With the transfer window now closed, Northampton's survival push in League One will rely on internal solutions, and the hope that missed opportunities on Deadline Day do not prove costly.

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