Harrogate Town AFC are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced defender Tom Lees.
Lees joins the club having accumulated close to 700 professional appearances at some of the country’s biggest clubs.
Tom said:
I’m really happy to be here and meet everybody, it’s been a great day.
I’ve had a few offers in the Football League, but after sitting down and talking with the club, there’s an exciting couple of years in store here and the start of a good project.
I’ve lived in this town for most of my life, this is my local club, it means a lot to me to be involved and hopefully have a positive impact on my local team.
I’ve had loads of friends that have played for the club, I’ve known Josh Falkingham since I was six years old and just from living in the town and being local, I know a lot of the players, know a lot of the staff, a lot of people on and off the pitch and the coaching staff.
I had a real connection as soon as I got talking about this this move, I wanted to be surrounded by like minded, good people, and that’s been proved today when I went into the club and had my first day in the building.
The 35-year-old started his career at Leeds United, making his Championship debut in August 2011 following impressive loan spells in League Two with Accrington and Bury.
Lees would go on to establish himself as a regular at Elland Road making over 40 Championship appearances in each of his three senior seasons in West Yorkshire.
The defender would then make the switch to South Yorkshire and Sheffield Wednesday where Lees would make 249 appearances across seven seasons.
Four seasons at Huddersfield followed, before Lees opted to spend the 2025/26 season with Peterborough, making 33 League One appearances for The Posh.
Head of Player Recruitment Lloyd Kerry said:
We’re delighted to have him, he comes in with great experience and a CV that speaks for itself.
He’s a proper leader so will come in and set the standards and guide some of the young lads.
To play that many games at a top level you have to be top professional and he’ll lead by example, you need leaders in the dressing room and in the team and Tom is definitely that.
He organises, is dominant in the air, calm on the ball, is versatile enough to play across the back three and overall is an accomplished defender.
He’s a big name and comes in having played 30 odd games in League One last season so it’s a really big signing for us.
Tom will wear the number 12 shirt at Town.
