Peterborough United Set to Add Experienced Defender

Peterborough United are set to add to their defensive ranks after a difficult start to the League One season has seen two straight defeats at the hands of Cardiff City and Luton Town.

Defensive improvement was a must for the Posh following on from the 2024-25 campaign, where the team conceded 81 goals throughout the season, which was the second-worst defensive record in the division.

Set to join Darren Ferguson’s squad is Tom Lees, who was released from Huddersfield last summer and will make the move to Cambridgeshire as a free signing, as reported by Alan Nixon.

Tom Lees to Peterborough United

Lees reportedly had offers from League Two on the table, but held out to stay at League One level, with the defender now set to sign for Peterborough.

Facing injury issues for Huddersfield last season, the defender had minimal gametime for the Terriers, making 32 appearances and 29 starts last season.

Subsequently released after a disappointing league campaign in West Yorkshire, the defender still has much to offer at the level.

Before his release, Lees was a stalwart in the Terriers’ defence for four seasons, most notably making 47 appearances and contributing five goals as Carlos Corberán guided the club to the 2022 Championship play-off final.

This experience could add well to the Peterborough squad, which has shown to lack experience at the level as a result of their lower league recruitment model.

Ferguson’s squad has also been criticised for its lack of physicality, which Lees provides in abundance.

The former-Sheffield Wednesday man will partner Oscar Wallin and David Okagbue in the Posh defence, bringing experience to a relatively young central defence.

Defensive Frailties at Peterborough

As previously mentioned, poor defensive performances have been attributed to last season’s drop-off at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Throughout the summer, the club’s advances for Connor Taylor from Bristol Rovers failed to come to fruition, with the defender eventually moving to divisional rivals Wycombe Wanderers.

While Walsall’s Okagbue and Notts County’s Alex Bass joined the club from the division below, a priority has always been to add a League One-proven defender.

With defensive issues showing in their opening two league outings, Lees’ experience is a welcome addition to Ferguson’s squad, despite not being the most typical of Peterborough signings.