Highly-rated midfielder Jake Richards signed on a permanent contract in July 2025 following the completion of his scholarship with fellow Sky Bet League One club Exeter City.
Richards arrived in Bedfordshire with a growing reputation having already made 32 appearances for the Grecians since his senior debut, which came on his 16th birthday in an August 2023 Carabao Cup tie against Crawley.
The Devonian had joined the St James Park outfit as an Under-12 and had been included in a first team pre-season friendly against Mousehole at the age of 15.
He has two senior goals to his name, the first in an EFL Trophy game against Spurs U21s, and second in League One against Bristol Rovers on Boxing Day last year as he starred on the scoresheet alongside another recent Town recruit from the Grecians, Milli Alli.
Jake picked up the Exeter City Supporters’ Trust Young Player of the Season, as well as being named LFE League One Apprentice of the Season at the 2025 EFL Awards.