Colchester United join Cheltenham Town in transfer tug-of-war for ex-Northampton Town defender | OneFootball

Cheltenham Town and Colchester are locked in a battle over left-back Ali Koiki, who's impressed on trial at Whaddon Road after leaving Northampton.

Cheltenham Town are set to become locked in a battle with Colchester United to sign left-back Ali Koiki, who's been a free agent since the end of last season.

Cheltenham Town's first season back in League Two following an absence of four years ended up being somewhat underwhelming, with the team finishing in 15th place in the table in their first season back following relegation.

Kicking off their new season with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Cambridge United, it was clear that there is still some work to do if they're to challenge nearer the top of the table, this time around.

Cheltenham have been giving a trial to left-back Ali Koiki, who's been available as a free agent since being released by Northampton Town at the end of the 2024-25 season.

As a trialist, Koiki didn't feature in their team at Cambridge, but he's impressed at Whaddon Road to such an extent that other clubs are now also taking an interest in him.

Colchester, Cheltenham and one "unnamed" club are all in the hunt for Koiki

Journalist Pete O'Rourke has reported via X on Tuesday that Cheltenham could be about to get involved in a tug-of-war for Koiki's services with Colchester United, as well as one other as-yet-unnamed club.

The player has impressed at Cheltenham, meaning that other clubs are now actively monitoring his position.

Colchester finished five places above Cheltenham in 10th place in League Two last season, and they kicked off their 25/26 season with a 1-1 home draw against Tranmere Rovers.

By joining Cheltenham in the chase for Koiki's signature, they provide not-insignificant opposition for the player's services.

Koiki struggled in League One with Northampton, but he's proven himself in League Two

Ali Koiki's release by Northampton Town came at the end of four years during which he had run up almost 100 appearances for the club.

Koiki had arrived at Sixfields in 2021 from Bristol Rovers after, just as is happening now, impressing on trial.

He'd started his senior career with Burnley, but failed to break through there and was sent out on loan to Swindon Town. But when Burnley offered him a new contract in 2020, he rejected the offer and went to the Memorial Ground instead.

His four years at Sixfields were a mixed bag. He was almost an ever-present throughout his first season with the club in 2021-22, and made a further 22 appearances in their team that was promoted to League One the following year.

But Koiki has found things tougher in League One. Two seasons with Northampton at the higher level have yielded just 16 League appearances. Only five of these came in the 2024-25 season, and release at the end of his contract with Northampton wasn't much of a surprise.

The interest of Cheltenham, Colchester and this one other unnamed club has come about because the 25-year-old has proven himself at this level.

Cheltenham may feel that they have first call on the defender as they've had him there on trial, but this doesn't guarantee them anything, and there could be quite a tussle for his services as the clock starts to tick down towards the closure of this summer's transfer window.