Leicester City starlet joins top-flight European club after transfer exit

The New Saints have signed Harvey Godsmark-Ford following his exit from Leicester City this summer.

The 21-year-old centre-back has signed for the JD Cymru Premier champions ahead of their UEFA Champions League qualifying campaign. TNS are set to face KF Shkendija on Tuesday, July 8, at Park Hall before flying out to North Macedonia a week later. 

Godsmark-Ford could potentially make his debut for the Oswestry-based side on the European stage. Leicester announced their retained list at the end of May, with 11 players leaving the King Power Stadium. 

Defender leaves Leicester City after 14 years

The New Saints are getting a player who featured 47 times in the Premier League 2, a competition for players under the age of 21. He also played in the U18 Premier League a total of 33 times and made three appearances in the Premier League Cup.

Through Leicester’s involvement in the EFL Trophy, Godsmark-Ford was able to play against senior players, featuring 11 times for the young Foxes. In their 2024/25 campaign, he was entrusted with the captain’s armband for the group stages, though they lost all of their matches. He is predominantly a centre-back, but he has been deployed as a right-back and as a defensive midfielder on occasion. 

In his parting message to Leicester that he posted on Twitter at the end of June, he said: “Thank you to everyone for all the memories made in the last 14 years, from the back room staff, the coaches and players, I’ll always be grateful for your support.”

The New Saints have further added to their backline by signing Kade Craig, who was last at Solihull Moors. He’s moving to the Welsh top-flight after spending two years in the National League with Solihull and Brackley Town. 

Craig was part of a Solihull side that reached the Play-Off Final in 2024. The 22-year-old made 14 appearances over the last campaign after joining Brackley in the National League North. 

He is a fairly versatile player, with his natural position being on the left-hand side, whilst he is also capable of operating on the right. Craig has at times filled in at centre-back and left-back. His previous clubs include Shrewsbury Town, AFC Telford United and Birmingham City. 

“Harvey was at Leicester for a long time, progressing right through the age groups, captaining the U23s and getting lots of games in the EFL Cup,” said Harrison to the TNS official club website.

“Kade has got good experience having played in the football league, and he can slot in right across the back four.

They’re both really versatile and arrive with good pedigrees, so we’re looking forward to them linking up with the squad.

“I think they’ll both play a big part in the club moving forward.”

TNS transfer business

The signings of Godsmark-Ford and Craig follow a theme this summer, with TNS having an emphasis on signing young players who can further develop in the game. Ken Charles, Jacob Owen and Jack Nadin all joined earlier this year from St Albans City, Haverfordwest County and Nottingham Forest.

TNS later broke their transfer record to sign striker Ben Wilson from Airdrieonians, whilst Dominic Corness turned down a new contract at Liverpool to join the Welsh champions, along with Nathan Shepperd, who was at QPR until this summer. 

Several players have left, with Connor Roberts heading to league rivals Caernarfon Town whilst Blaine Hudson has penned terms with Airbus UK Broughton. Ash Baker returned to South Wales to sign for Penybont, whilst youngsters Rhys Jones and Luke Johnston have signed with Welshpool Town and Denbigh Town, respectively.