A summer of seemingly big transfer moves in 2025 was capped (arguably) by the signing of Fleetwood Town‘s Phoenix Patterson. The winger came south after Boro’ agreed an “undisclosed” fee with The Cod Army; some social media ITKs rumouring the figure to be around the £200k mark. If so, or even near, it was one of the most significant transfer outlays in the club’s history. And we’d imagine the reason it was kept undisclosed was to ensure any pressure associated wasn’t a thing. Who knows? We’re just speculating at this point…

Patterson – a winger – arrived with a decent amount of buzz around him. Some of the chat to come from the Lancashire coast suggested his numbers (y’know, goals) were on the lower side due to how Fleetwood approached matters during the 2024-5 campaign. What isn’t up for debate is his record on the other side of the Irish Sea prior to moving to the Cod Army, more of which in a bit. Pacy and good with the ball at his feet, it’s fair to suggest that Patterson came to the Lamex with the real potential to light up the wing. Half decent at set pieces too, apparently.

Phoenix Patterson: Before Boro’

Hailing from High Wycombe, Patterson entered his hometown club’s academy – but was soon on the move; stepping up to join Tottenham Hotspur‘s academy. After his release from Spurs in 2020, the player next joined Watford’s academy.  It was a short-lived thing, however. In 2021, Patterson made the switch to Waterford in the League of Ireland First Division. Here, he really started to grab some attention; scoring plenty and going on to win the division’s Player of the Year award. Fleetwood Town came knocking in 2023 and, with it, a chance to experience the Football League.