Morecambe make five more signings as squad rebuild continues

Five new signings have joined Morecambe FC as the Shrimps continue to rebuild their squad ahead of a new season some feared might not happen.

Archie Mair, Ludwig Francilette, Ben Williams, Jake Cain and Alie Sesay are the new additions announced on Thursday by the club.

The Shrimps are preparing to play Altrincham at home on Saturday, in their belated bow in the National League after a suspension was lifted.

Goalkeeper Mair, who played 21 games on loan to Morecambe in 2024, returns to the club.

He began his career at Norwich City, progressing through the youth setup before gaining first-team experience with a number of clubs across the Football League and National League.

“Archie was our number one target as a goalkeeper, we were eager to get him in the building and he's excited to get going," said new manager Ashvir Singh Johal.

"He's a young goalkeeper but the experience he's had will help shape the mentality we have here."

"He will use this opportunity to springboard his career, and if he can help the club back to where it needs to get to, that will help him take his career to the next level."

"His skillset is outstanding, the way he plays with the ball at his feet is a perfect fit for how we want the team to play."

Francilette, 26, began his career in France with Dijon FCO before moving to England to join Newcastle United.

Francilette spent three years with Newcastle, developing through their Under-23 side and training regularly with the first team, before going on to feature in the EFL with Crawley Town.

Most recently, the Guadeloupe-born defender has been plying his trade in Europe.

Singh Johal said: “Really pleased to get Ludwig.

"He is someone who fits the profile we're looking for in our defenders. On the ball, he is very comfortable, drawing players in, or playing into space. He is a very intelligent player, he understands how to use the pressure of the opponent to make the most appropriate pass and defensively he is fantastic.

"Ludwig is very experienced in the National League and we're delighted to have him with us.”

Defender Williams, 26, joins Morecambe after spells at Cheltenham Town and Barnsley, and is recognised for his determined playing style.

He also spent time on loan with the Morecambe Academy back in 2015, working with academy boss Neil Wainwright.

"We are delighted that Ben has decided to join us at Morecambe," said Singh Johal.

"Ben is a player who I've known of for a long time.

"He is a left back who has played multiple games in the League One and League Two so he is very experienced across the EFL and at a high level. He is someone who we know will be ready to make an impact straight away in the National League and help us push towards our objectives as a club.

"We're really looking forward to working with him and I'm delighted to see that our squad is starting to take shape."

Williams will wear the number 15 shirt for the Shrimps.

Talented midfielder Cain, 23, progressed through the academy ranks at Liverpool having joined the club at the age of nine.

He was part of the U18s squad that lifted the Youth Cup in 2019, before moving on to further his development in the EFL.

He has enjoyed spells with Newport County and Swindon Town.

Sesay, 31, represents Sierra Leone at international level, and has played across England, Europe, and Asia during a diverse professional career.

Born in England, Sesay began his journey in the Leicester City Academy, where he earned a professional contract and featured regularly at youth and reserve levels before spells with the likes of Barnet and Cambridge United.

Since then, he has gone on to play abroad in Greece, Sweden, Albania, and Indonesia, as well as representing Sierra Leone at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I'm delighted to have Alie," said Singh Johal.

"He is someone who has played in the EFL and then he moved abroad for the last few years to try different footballing experiences in different countries.

"He is someone who will definitely help us compete and win games in the National League. Alie is a leader and a model professional, he leads by example and the younger players can look up to him."

The five signings joined other new arrivals who were announced on Wednesday, Raheem Conte, Harry Panayiotou and Mo Sangare.

The club also released a video on Thursday, showing first-teamers from last season including Gwion Edwards, Yann Songo'o and Paul Lewis being greeted by kit man Les Dewhirst as they returned to the Mazuma ahead of the new season.

Read more: New faces arrive as Morecambe FC prepares for big return - Beyond Radio

Meanwhile, behind-the-scenes preparations continue as the club races to get ready for the opening game on Saturday, after the end of the recent financial and ownership crisis that threatened the club's very existence.

It has been a quick turnaround for the Shrimps, after the new ownership of Panjab Warriors was confirmed last weekend, followed by the lifting of the National League suspension and transfer embargo, and confirmation that Saturday's game could go ahead.

On Thursday, it was confirmed by Companies House that the Hounslow-based Panjab Warriors Sports Ltd were now 'a person of significant control' at Morecambe Football Club.Limited, the club's parent company.

Former co-chairman Graham Howse has also been reappointed as a director, alongside fellow former co-chairman Rod Taylor, and Kuljeet Singh Momi and Harjit Singh from Panjab Warriors.