Drogheda United have completed the signing of midfielder Alfie Bates on a deal until the end of the season.
The 25-year-old joins the club having most recently played for Tamworth, making 42 appearances for the National League side during the 2025/26 season.
Bates played in the academy at both Coventry City & Birmingham City, before making the move to Walsall, where he made a first team breakthrough.
In all, Bates made 68 senior appearances for the Saddlers before making the move to Finland, where he joined topflight Veikkausliiga side SJK Seinajoki.
After a season in Finland, Bates returned to England, joining Brackley Town. Bates made 107 appearances across two seasons and was a mainstay in the Brackley side that won the National League North title to earn promotion to the National League.
The move to Tamworth followed, and Bates now becomes Kevin Doherty’s second signing of the transfer window, after Keegan Ancelin joined on loan from Chattanooga.
Manager Kevin Doherty said:
“He’s an infectious character, a really good player, a real tigerish midfielder, can run around and get after people, and is good on the ball aswell.
“His experience for his age is exceptional. He has the experience from playing in England and has played in European games (while with SJK in Finland), which is something that will stand to him.
“It’s something we have been working on for a while. Ideally, you want to strengthen everywhere, and this certainly strengthens our midfield.”
