Sutton United Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Jermaine Francis, who arrives on a permanent deal from Hartlepool United.

The versatile midfielder, who made the switch to the North-East last summer, becomes the tenth player to be recruited by Chris Agutter following his arrival in October, and will offer pace, directness and determination to the U’s midfield.

Having begun his career in the academies of Queens Park Rangers and Reading, Francis later spent a year in the Under-19s at London Tigers, while also playing for Chelsea’s Under-19s Representative College Team, though he never officially played for the club’s academy.

This was followed by a move to Essex Alliance League club DTFC, a side who was formed in 2019 by AFTV contributor Liam Goodenough. Now known as Cannons Wood, Francis appeared 11 times for them across two separate spells, either side of a brief stint at Coggeshall Town, before moving across Essex to join Hashtag United.

He became a regular in the centre of the park for the Tags, scoring 14 goals in 30 league appearances as they won the Isthmian League North Division, less than a decade after their foundation in 2016.

His form in the eighth tier led to a move up the pyramid, and following a trial at Barnet and a brief return to Cannons Wood, Francis making the switch to National League South Chelmsford City, where he continued his rapid rise up non-league by featuring 42 times in the sixth tier. This was followed by a permanent switch to Barnet, who had rekindled their interest in the midfielder, and he subsequently played a bit-part role in the Bees’ promotion to League Two last term, whilst spending the bulk of the season out on loan at Braintree Town, before joining Hartlepool United on a permanent deal last summer, where he has appeared 22 times.

Internationally, Francis has also featured 15 times for Grenada, making his debut as a 76th minute substitute in a 1–1 draw against Suriname, before scoring his first international goal against Saint Lucia the following year.

After putting pen to paper on a permanent switch to South London, Francis said:

“I’m buzzing. I know a lot about the club, about the manager as well, the players, I know the manager and how he plays and that excites me.

Especially coming down here, closer to home as well, so I’m grateful to be here.”

He will wear the number 48 during his time at the VBS Community Stadium.

Welcome to Sutton, Jermaine!