Signing on a two-year deal – with a club option of a third - Ed became Gary Caldwell’s fifth capture of the summer transfer window.

The Manchester native began his career at the age of six with the Man City academy and signed a professional deal in 2018, captaining the under-18s in the final of the FA Youth Cup against Chelsea in 2017. 

Graduating from the academy at the Etihad, he moved to the Netherlands where joined Almere City and featured for both the first and development side in the second and third division. 

The 24-year-old was signed by Wolves in January 2019, loaned to Grasshoppers Zurich, then joined League Two side Harrogate Town in the 2020/21 season. 

He played 20 times for the Sulphurites and scored his first goal in England – and was announced by the North Yorkshire side as a new signing at St James Park before a league game in December 2020. He also played against the Grecians in September 2021. 

Ed then joined Notts County, where he was part of their 2022/23 National League promotion winning side – he played a total of 53 games in two seasons for the Magpies.

Francis enjoyed further success last season with Gateshead, where he was a winner at Wembley as the Heed lifted the FA Trophy. He leaves the Tyneside club with 58 appearances – 14 of those as club captain - and three goals. 

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