Bromley Andy Woodman boss talks through remaining transfer window plans – with Sowunmi, Leigh and Dinanga through the door already

Bromley boss Andy Woodman wants to make four more signings to bolster his squad ahead of their debut League Two campaign.

The Ravens have had to act quickly to assemble their squad ahead of their very first EFL campaign after only knowing what league they would be in for this term following their National League play-off final win over Solihull Moors in May.

Woodman has moved to re-sign defender Omar Sowunmi.

The centre-back was a huge hit during his first spell at Hayes Lane – winning the Manager’s Player and Players’ Player of the Season award at the end of the 2022-23 season – before leaving to join then-League Two side Sutton last summer.

Sowunmi has now come back to Bromley on a permanent deal, paying Sutton an undisclosed fee following their relegation.

Woodman told the South London Press: “I was absolutely chuffed to get Omar across the line.

“We mustn’t forget that Omar was a big player for us in the season we got to Chestfield [in the National League play-off semi-final].

“He scored 10 goals from centre-half. He didn’t walk out because he didn’t want to be here, we couldn’t agree terms when we wanted to.

“We couldn’t get that done. He had aspirations to be a league player and fair play to him.

“He went to Sutton. That said, it didn’t work out for him at Sutton and I think the formation they play probably didn’t suit Omar.

“But to be able to get him back to Bromley has been a really good signing for us

“He knows the club, staff, people and what wearing the badge is all about.

“It’s a good bit of business for us as a football club to get Omar back in the building. He’s a leader on and off the pitch.”

The former Yeovil Town skipper Sowunmi made 35 appearances in League Two for Sutton last season and will bring immediate EFL experience to Woodman’s squad.

“He knows the DNA and fabric of this club,” added the former Crystal Palace goalkeeper coach.

“He knows he’s coming back to a club where there are demands and expectations.

“There is a culture here that he has been a part of. I must also say that he had no other mindset other than coming back to Bromley.

“He loved his time here and we’re delighted to have him back.”

Midfielder Lewis Leigh has also made a return to South London, but this time on a permanent basis from Championship side Preston.

The 20-year-old enjoyed a short loan spell with the Ravens last season, making 12 appearances before being recalled by Preston and loaned to League Two side Crewe Alexandra for the second half of the season.

He turned out 16 times for the Railwaymen, including in the League Two play-off final defeat to Crawley Town at Wembley.

Preston confirmed a ‘significant sell-on clause’ has been inserted in the deal.

“It came about through a lot of phone calls while I was on holiday,” said Woodman.

“It was a lot of convincing and toing and throwing with Preston’s Ryan Lowe and Peter Ridsdale.

“It was a lot of hard work to get us the frontrunners.

“We managed to do that and the chairman was backing it all the way.

“It was a really good signing for us.

“You mention about League Two experience, but he’s been around a Championship team for a few years.

“Albeit he probably hasn’t played as much as he has wanted to, but he’s a good player.

“Our job is to make sure he’s fit for all 46 games next season and plays as many of them as he can.”

Striker Marcus Dinanga arrived from National League side Gateshead, where he scored 20 goals in 42 league appearances last term.

The 27-year-old had a short spell with Stevenage in League Two but has spent the majority of his career in the National League with spells at Altrincham, Hartlepool and AFC Telford United.

“Marcus was a good one for us,” said Woodman.

“It’s not disrespect to Marcus, but we can’t go shopping and go and get a Paul Mullin or someone of that demand.

“We haven’t got the finances and we’re not that sort of club that does that anyway.

“Marcus is a player I have admired many times we have played against him.

“I spoke to him and we had dialogue all throughout the summer.

“His agent and myself have been non-stop on the phone.

“To get him across the line and into the building is brilliant.

“He’ll be a good striker for us who will probably be disappointed if he doesn’t hit 15 to 20 goals.”

Goalkeeper Sam Long and defender Taylor Foran have both joined permanently.

Byron Webster, Callum Reynolds, Besart Topalloj and Louis Dennis have all signed new deals.

Bromley’s first EFL fixture in their 132-year history will take place at Harrogate on August 10.

“I’d like to get another four if I could,” admitted Woodman

“It will be a bit of both [permanent deals and loans].

“If I can get another four in the door, then I will feel that we have a nice base of a squad to carry us through to the next window.

“We mustn’t forget that we have a lot of games now with the EFL Cup and the EFL Trophy. There are a lot of games to make sure we can put a competitive team out.

“We need as many bodies as we can really get.”