Exclusive: Chesterfield set to beat Reading FC and Barnsley to ex-Leeds United player | OneFootball

The Spireites look poised to bolster their defensive ranks with an experienced free agent

Chesterfield are set to beat a number of EFL clubs to the signing of free agent left-back Tom Pearce, Football League World has been exclusively informed.

The Spireites are currently occupying the final spot in the League Two play-offs after 25 games played, but manager Paul Cook has been looking to bolster his options ahead of the final few months of the 2025-26 campaign.

Multiple bits of business - both incoming and outgoing of the SMH Group Stadium - have already been completed, but Cook is set to add yet another new face to his options, and it's someone he's all-too familiar with from his time at Wigan Athletic.

Chesterfield on the verge of landing Tom Pearce deal ahead of EFL rivals

FLW understands that Chesterfield are set to win the battle for the services of Tom Pearce, who came through the ranks of Leeds United.

The 27-year-old has recently been linked with clubs such as League One duo Barnsley and Reading FC, as well as Shrewsbury Town of League Two, but it is another fourth tier outfit in the form of the Spireites that are finalising a deal to land the defender.

Chesterfield boss Cook is familiar with Pearce's game, having signed him for Wigan Athletic back in 2019 from Leeds United, who he made just 10 appearances for before moving on from Elland Road for pastures new.

Over the course of five years at Wigan, Pearce played 105 times until his departure in 2024, with a move to MLS outfit Montreal FC coming soon after.

Pearce was in and out of Montreal's starting 11 since his arrival in Canada in July 2024, but in October 2025, it was announced that the defender's contract had been terminated in Quebec, despite it having yet another season to run.

Chesterfield have had a busy January transfer window - Tom Pearce set to be sixth signing

He is now set to return to the EFL though with Chesterfield, who are gunning for promotion back to League One after last being in the third tier during the 2016-17 season.

Since the transfer window opened last week, Chesterfield have seen loanees Devon Tanton, Matt Dibley-Dias and Will Dickson all return to their respective parent clubs, with early incoming deals done for experienced free agent striker Freddie Ladapo and Canadian centre-back Malik Owolabi-Belewu, and a surprise triple loan raid for Sheffield United right-back Sam Curtis, Leicester City midfielder Sammy Braybrooke and Aston Villa defender Sil Swinkels.