Wigan Athletic midfielder Ronan Darcy is a transfer target for League Two club York City in the final week of the window. The 25-year-old has not featured in manager Gary Caldwell's plans this season and could be sold to free up squad space.
Football Lowdown reported the interest this week, with journalist Pete O'Rourke stating, "York City, among other sides, are keen on signing him." The Latics are currently bottom of League One, having lost their opening two matches and conceding five goals. They sit six points behind early leaders Bradford City ahead of a crucial away fixture against 23rd-placed AFC Wimbledon on 30 August.
Ronan Darcy's time at the DW Stadium has not gone as planned. He was signed in January 2025 with expectations he would become a regular fixture, but he has managed only 14 senior appearances for Wigan. He struggled to establish himself in League One and was loaned to Chesterfield and later Crawley Town last season by then-manager Ryan Lowe. At Crawley, he featured 13 times. Across two separate spells in League Two during the 2025/26 campaign, Darcy played 37 matches, scoring three goals and providing three assists.
This summer's recruitment has pushed him further down the pecking order. Wigan have strengthened their attacking midfield options with the loan arrivals of Reggie Walsh from Chelsea and Luke Harris from Fulham, plus the permanent signing of Sonny Perkins from Leyton Orient. These moves have essentially ended any future plans for Darcy under Caldwell. Letting him leave is now viewed as the best course of action, as it would free up space for a potential new permanent signing later. Fans can track the evolving squad on our squad page.
A switch to York City offers a clear path to regular football for Ronan Darcy. The Minstermen, managed by Scott Lindsey, are scrambling for final additions after a lukewarm start to their League Two season. Lindsey has a known preference for recruiting players from the Crawley Town side that won the League Two playoffs, a team Darcy was part of last term. This reunion could provide the midfielder with a familiar tactical setup and a manager who believes in his abilities.
However, establishing himself as a regular starter at the LNER Community Stadium is not guaranteed. York rely heavily on the productive partnership of Joe Grey and Alex Newby, who were instrumental in winning the National League title last season. The duo combined for the club's first goal in an opening-day victory over Bristol Rovers. Darcy would need to compete with these two dependable options for a place in Lindsey's lineup.
Wigan's immediate focus is on climbing the League One table from their current 24th position. The potential departure of a peripheral figure like Ronan Darcy is unlikely to impact the first-team setup, but it does represent a chance to streamline the squad. The club's summer business has clearly been focused on adding more immediate quality in advanced areas, as seen with the signings of Walsh, Harris, and Perkins.
The Latics have scored just two goals while conceding five in their first two games, highlighting an area that needs improvement. Managing the squad effectively before the window closes is part of that process. Supporters can follow the team's progress and upcoming matches, including the trip to AFC Wimbledon, on our fixtures and standings pages. A move for Darcy would conclude a chapter that never truly got started for the player at Wigan, allowing both parties to move forward.
