Sutton United Football Club is delighted to confirm the permanent signing of Ashley Nadesan, who returns to the U’s on a one-year deal with the option of a one-year extension, starting from July 1, following a successful loan spell at Gander Green Lane.
Nadesan, who was released from Gillingham following the conclusion of the 2024/25 season, will bring plenty of excitement for the Sutton faithful having become a firm fans’ favourite with his tirelessness and eye for goal, and will hope to bolster Steve Morison’s attacking options heading into the new season.
The 30-year-old first came to attention while playing for Horley Town in the Combined Counties League, scoring nearly 100 goals in two seasons and earning a move to Fleetwood Town at the end of the 2015/16 season, going on to make over 20 League One appearances for the Fisherman across a three-year stint, which included two successful loan spells at Carlisle United.
He was an ever-present during his stint in Cumbria, before departing Fleetwood at the end of the 2018/19 season to join Crawley Town, where he enjoyed a particularly successful spell.
Nadesan went on to play over 150 games for Crawley over the next four seasons, notably scoring in the Red Devils’ televised 3-0 FA Cup win over Leeds in January 2021, and otherwise contributing to 55 goals during his stint at the Broadfield Stadium, before joining Gillingham in July 2023.
While he scored on his Gills debut in a Carabao Cup win over Southampton, he otherwise struggled for regular game time after arriving at the Priestfield Stadium, and subsequently spent the 2024/25 season out on loan, moving to Sutton on a temporary deal.
His time in SM1 proved to be fruitful, with Nadesan playing almost every minute of the National League season as well as notching 16 goal contributions, including late winners against Ebbsfleet United, Southend United and Rochdale and a Goal of the Season nomination against AFC Fylde.
Furthermore, Naders quickly became a popular member of the squad with his outstanding work rate, making more total sprints than any other player during the 2024/25 season in which 10% of his game was sprinting or high speed running per 90, as well as averaging over 1200m HSR and sprinting per game which is more than the likes of Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, who have been noted for their high sprint counts in the Premier League.
After confirming his return to Gander Green Lane, Nadesan commented:
“It’s good to get it over the line. I had a nice conversation with the gaffer the other day about what he expects and I’m looking forward to getting going.”
“I know the club well now, I know the players and staff, the style of football that the gaffer and [Jon] Meeney wants to play, I think that persuaded me the most and obviously, with the conversation with the gaffer what he wants to do next season.”
Welcome back to Sutton, Ashley!
