Northampton Town have confirmed two deals on transfer deadline day, with the club making the loan signing of Dara Costelloe and confirmed the exit of Ben Fox.

Forward player Costelloe, 22, has signed on loan for the rest of the season from Championship side Burnley, becoming the third new signing made by the Cobblers in their first transfer window with Kevin Nolan in charge.

The Cobblers also confirmed the departure of Fox, with the 27-year-old midfielder signing for Harrogate Town on a free transfer. The League Two club confirmed Fox has signed a two-and-a-half year deal to move to North Yorkshire.

Costelloe had spent the first half of the current season in League Two with Accrington Stanley, scoring five goals in 14 league appearances for the side from Lancashire.

Nolan told the official Northampton Town website that he felt Costelloe represented a useful addition.

He said, “We think Dara can come in and offer something a little different.

“He can be a threat, a spark, he can create things and he is very much an attacking threat.

“He is another player who we have brought here despite strong interest from other clubs as his performances this season have attracted attention. That’s a big tick for us and we are really pleased that Dara wants to be here. 

“He has done really well at Accrington this season, we hope he will come and continue that here.”

Meanwhile, Fox leaves Northampton after three and a half years at Sixfields. The midfielder had joined Northampton from Grimsby Town in 2022, making 64 appearances in all competitions for the club.

In his time at Northampton, he had helped them win promotion from League Two and achieve survival last season. However, Fox has fallen down the pecking order at Sixfields, having not played since Nolan took charge of the club in December.

With Fox’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, Northampton have instead opted to let him leave on a free transfer, with the midfielder making the move to Yorkshire.

Speaking about Fox’s exit, Nolan said, “Ben is a top lad and we wish him all the very best.

“He has fallen down the pecking order a little here with the signings we have been able to bring in to the club during this transfer window.

“Ben was also out of contract here in the summer, so this move gives him and his family the security he needs and hopefully the chance to play regular first team football.

“I am sure he will do well for Harrogate and I think this move works for all parties.

“We all wish him well, and thank him for his time as a Northampton Town player.”