Northampton Town have signed winger Tariqe Fosu on a free transfer, picking up the former Brentford man after a year without a club.

Fosu has signed a one year contract at Sixfields, and he will seek to make an impression after being unable to find a club for the 2023/24 season.

The 28-year-old is Northampton’s ninth signing ahead of the 2024/25 season, with the deal ratified ahead of the Cobblers’ season opener against Bristol Rovers later today (10/08).

Fosu is a former Ghana international, having picked up 4 caps with the West African nation.

After beginning his career with Reading, Fosu made a breakthrough on loan with Colchester in the 2016/17 season before two seasons as a regular with Charlton Athletic.

Fosu joined Oxford in 2019, making 25 appearances before signing for Brentford in January 2020.

The Ghanian would make 49 appearances in all competitions as helped Brentford win promotion to the Premier League, but he struggled for game time in the top flight, spending the 2022/23 season on loan at first Stoke and then Rotherham.

Cobblers boss Jon Brady told the club’s website that he was delighted to bring Fosu to the club.

He said, “Tariqe has a lot of ability and quality and we are really pleased to welcome him to Sixfields.

“He has pace and is very good on the ball and has the ability to play in a number of positions across the pitch.

“He has played a lot of his football at Championship level and his pedigree speaks for itself.

“Tariqe is a creative, attacking player and we think he is someone who can help take us forward and as such we are sure all supporters will join us in welcoming him to the club.”

A travel guide has been published for this weekend’s concerts at the National Bowl music venue in Milton Keynes.

Dance act Chase and Status play the Bowl today (10/08), while rock act Yungblud will be headlining his festival Bludfest tomorrow (11/08).

Ahead of the shows this weekend, confirmation has come that there will be alterations with roads around the venue closed and enforcement patrols in action against illegally parked cars around the venue. Official car parks are available.

A series of road closures, diversions, temporary speed restrictions and waiting restrictions will be in place around the National Bowl site to facilitate safe access and egress of patrons to the event and to mitigate delays on the highway network.

Drivers are advised to follow the ‘Concert at MK Bowl’ yellow signs as they approach the venue – ignore your sat-nav – and allow extra time for your journey.

There are some official event car parks providing public parking in the immediate vicinity of the Bowl. Spaces can only be guaranteed by advance booking at the charge of £25 cars/minibuses/blue badge holders and £75 coaches. All bookings are subject to a booking fee and must be made via https://parkthecarhere.com

The designated accessible car park is located in the East Car Park (Orange) with the what3words reference trash.watched.remaining.

Car parks are open from 10:00 and close at 02:00 and there is NO overnight parking available. Any vehicle left in car parks after the closure time will be removed at the owner’s expense.

Parking will be on grass and is therefore subject to weather conditions, while there are no electric car charging stations available.

Pre booked tickets are non-refundable while patrons are asked to note that any parking on the day will be subject to availability. Some car parks are also subject to a curfew at the event close and you may experience a slight delay to exit the car park while the road outside is cleared of pedestrians.

Residential areas will be protected and illegally parked cars are at risk of being towed away.

Additional paid parking is available in Milton Keynes City Centre, with the most convenient located near to Milton Keynes Central Railway Station. The station connects to the pedestrian cycleway Redway system, a 25-30 minute (just over one mile) signposted walk to the venue.

‘No Waiting’ restrictions will be in place on the roadways surrounding the Bowl and no drop offs will be permitted. Parking enforcement will be operation and fines will be issued for those ignoring the No Waiting/No Drop Off restrictions.

The official Taxi Rank Drop Off facility is located on Chesney Wold, which will be subject to a one-way system with entry from Summerson Road. Postcode is MK6 1NE while the what3words reference is grief.sunroof.painted.

After the event, it is recommended that the Taxi Rank at Central Milton Keynes Station is used, follow the pedestrian signs for CMK Station. What3words reference is headliner.falls.solution.

The official Drop Off and Pick Up point for Private Hire Vehicles, Family and Friends is located on Kelvin Drive. Postcode is MK5 8NH while the what3words reference is basket.skirt.ambitions. Please note that there is no access to Kelvin Drive off Davy Avenue.

Big Green Coach is operating return coach travel from: Bedford, Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Cardiff, Chelmsford, Colchester, Coventry, Ipswich, Leicester, London Victoria, Luton, Northampton, Norwich, Nottingham, Oxford, Peterborough and Swindon.

Places can be booked by visiting their website Big Green Coach, while they will be parked on the Orange (East) car park with easy access into Gate 6 and Gate 1 (accessible).

The Northamptonshire Local Resilience Forum (LRF) has thanked communities in the county for their support and solidarity during the events of recent days after a recent protest.

The statement came after a week which saw Northampton the site of protests on Wednesday (07/08). A list of sites circulated by a far-right blogger on Telegram had suggested Northampton was to be the site of a protest, which saw a larger group of anti-racist protestors gather at the same location.

The main area took place around Kettering Road and Clare Street on the edge of Northampton Town Centre.

Three people were arrested for public order offences, but the event passed off peacefully, and as none of the original protesters turned up, the crowd that gathered eventually dispersed without incident.

Reflecting on the week, Northamptonshire’s RLF acknowledged things had been a challenging week but that they were pleased at co-operation between all partners in managing the situation.

The forum is made up of Northamptonshire Police, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, West Northamptonshire Council, North Northamptonshire Council, Northamptonshire Health Foundation Trust, University Hospitals of Northamptonshire, Northamptonshire Integrated Care Board and the East Midlands Ambulance Service.

The statement read, “This has been a difficult and challenging week for our communities across Northamptonshire, in particular Northampton, where protests, thankfully peaceful, took place on Wednesday evening.

“We have seen a huge amount of cooperation between all the emergency services, local authority, health partners and the community, and it can’t be underestimated how much work went into making sure the risk to the public was minimised.

“We are immensely grateful to our communities who came together to work with us, and for the support they showed our police and emergency services as they worked hard to ensure public safety. There was some really positive engagement with all those who came together to show their solidarity.

“We would also like to thank all the police officers, firefighters, council, health and other colleagues for their professionalism, dedication and commitment, throughout this challenging week and beyond, in helping to keep our county and those who live and work here safe.

“Alongside the extensive policing operation, firefighters and community safety colleagues were out in the community giving advice and any reassurance they could to residents and businesses, and council teams were on the ground making sure the environment was debris free and as safe as possible.

“Organisations being able to respond and support communities in a speedy, joined up way is what people have every right to expect, and it was good to see people working together in this way.

“We know residents will still be feeling concerned in the light of this week’s events and the ongoing national picture but want to reassure them all partners are continuing to work together doing everything possible to keep our communities safe.”

MK Dons have signed winger Aaron Nemane from Notts County in a deal that sees Conor Grant move the other way.

Nemane has joined the Dons for an undisclosed fee and signed a contract of undisclosed length with the League Two club.

Meanwhile, Grant moves to Meadow Lane as part of the contract, signing a three year contract with the Magpies.

The arrival of Nemane sees him become the Dons’ 12th new signing ahead of the 2024/25 season, with his signing coming on the day where MK Dons confirmed that they have had an ownership change after Pete Winkelman sold the club to a consortium lead by Fahad Al Ghanim.

Nemane, 26, had joined Notts County from Torquay United in 2021, with the French-born winger having previously been in the youth ranks at Manchester City and having spent time out on loan with Rangers and Go Ahead Eagles.

After two seasons with Torquay, Nemane joined Notts County in 2021, where he would help the team win promotion from the National League in his second season at the Magpies. He scored 8 times in 48 games for County last season, including a late equaliser in a 3-3 draw with MK Dons in April.

In an arrival interview with the MK Dons website, Nemane said he was excited to get started with his new club.

He said, “I really think it’ll be a fantastic season, I hope the supporters are behind it because I think they’ll really enjoy it!

“I know how Mike wants to play, I’ve been used to the style for a few years, so I know what he wants, it’s a good fit!”

Meanwhile, Grant leaves MK Dons after two years with the club.

The 23-year-old Irishman had joined the Dons from Rochdale in 2022, making 52 appearances in all competitions, scoring four times. He also spent the second half of last season on loan with Barnsley, scoring once in 14 appearances for the Tykes.

Notts County Head Coach Stuart Maynard told the Magpies’ official website that he was wishing Nemane the best while also being excited to work with Grant in the upcoming season.

He said, “Firstly, I’d like to thank Aaron for everything he’s given to the team. He’s a great lad with a fantastic worth ethic and willingness to learn – but it’s a deal which we feel suits all parties, so he’s moving on with our very best wishes.

“In return, we welcome Conor – a player who we’ve wanted to sign since the beginning of the summer. He ticks a lot of boxes in terms of what we’re looking for in the attacking third and adds tremendous competition for places, the need for which I’ve talked a lot about this summer.

“Conor went on loan to League One last season and got into the play-offs – and we believe that reflects the level of player he is.

“He needs to find a home and a footballing system that suits him – and we believe we can give him that.