Crawley Town look set to boost their squad for the second half of the 2025-26 season, with reports linking the League Two side to Ronan Darcy, who could return on loan from Wigan Athletic.
The Reds are in desperate need of reinforcements. Currently 22nd in the table, just one point above the relegation zone, Crawley have gone 12 matches without a win across all competitions.
Manager Scott Lindsey and his coaching staff are hoping that the potential loan of Darcy could provide an immediate impact as the club battles to climb out of trouble.
Darcy is no stranger to Crawley, having spent 18 months at the club before his move to Wigan in January 2025 for an undisclosed fee.
He played a key role in the Reds’ success, helping the side win promotion from League Two in 2024, with his performances catching the attention of Wigan. A reunion with Scott Lindsey, who managed him during that successful spell, offers the prospect of continuity and a player already familiar with the squad and system.
Most recently, the 25-year-old midfielder was on loan at Chesterfield, making 31 appearances and scoring three goals.
During his time with the Spireites, Darcy produced a viral moment with a stunning individual goal against Harrogate Town, showcasing his creativity and attacking threat.
The loan was cut short last week after Chesterfield chose to activate a break clause, sending him back to Wigan.
Chesterfield were concerned that Darcy might struggle for regular minutes, which led to Darcy’s loan spell being cut short.
The club recently signed Will Dickson from Manchester City, while Dilan Markanday and Armando Dobra are edging closer to full fitness after injury. On Darcy’s return to Wigan, assistant manager Gary Roberts said:
“We thank Ronan. It has been a successful loan for us. He has done really well. He is a really good player. He is a really good kid.
“Our thinking was that we have got Dobra and Markanday coming back, Will Dickson, so he might not have got as many minutes as he would have liked and he’s got to play because he is such a good player.”
For Wigan, Darcy’s return represents another chapter in a challenging season.
Manager Ryan Lowe had made it clear last summer that Darcy was not in his plans, which prompted the initial loan move to Chesterfield.
Fans have expressed frustration over his departure, viewing him as an underwhelming replacement for academy star Thelo Aasgaard, sold to Luton Town for £3.5 million just days before Darcy’s arrival. Wigan currently sit 18th in League One, with recruitment and squad planning under scrutiny.
If the loan goes ahead, Darcy could be a crucial addition for Crawley Town, bringing experience, creativity, and prior success at the club at a time when points are desperately needed.
His familiarity with the Reds’ system and the trust of Scott Lindsey could help him make an immediate difference in their fight to avoid relegation. For Darcy himself, the move represents an opportunity to regain consistent game time and rebuild momentum in his career.
