Chesterfield sign ex-Leeds United man Tom Pearce despite Barnsley, Reading and Shrewsbury Town 'interest'
Former Leeds United defender Tom Pearce has returned to the EFL - but not as a Barnsley player.
The 29-year-old made his senior breakthrough in West Yorkshire, making 10 senior appearances for Leeds after moving into the first-team set-up.
He was most recently on the books of CF Montreal in the MLS, but saw his contract terminated in October.
Barnsley were recently linked with the left-back, as were fellow EFL outfits Reading and Shrewsbury Town.
Tom Pearce secures Chesterfield move
However, League Two promotion hopefuls Chesterfield have won the race for the former England youth international.
Pearce has penned 18-month deal in Derbyshire, reuniting with his former Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook.
He said: “I came back from the MLS in October time and then spoke to a few different clubs and then obviously Chesterfield got in contact.
“Obviously speaking with the gaffer and the staff, I just thought this was the perfect move in my career. I’m really looking forward to it and happy to be here.
“Chesterfield was the only club for me and having a chance to play under the gaffer again, it’s a real privilege.”
Tom Pearce’s career path
Pearce first arrived in Yorkshire in 2014, when he joined Leeds’ youth system from Everton as a teenager.
He made swift progress and made his senior debut during the reign of Paul Heckingbottom. There was brief talk of Premier League interest in the left-back, with Leeds still a Championship club.
However, his progress slowed and he was allowed to join Wigan in the summer of 2019. He racked up over 100 appearances for the Latics before being released in 2024.
A spell stateside followed for the Ormskirk-born defender and he left having made 37 appearances for the Canada-based outfit.