Tom Lees parts company with Rotherham United to join a different team
No chance of a deal with the Millers
The prospect of Tom Lees signing for Rotherham United came to an end last week as the veteran centre-half chose to join Harrogate Town instead.
The League Two Millers wanted the 35-year-old to spend more time with them this summer before they decided whether to offer him a contract.
However, the former Sheffield Wednesday man has chosen to commit his future to Town who are in the National League following their relegation last term.
Lees was a free agent after parting company with League One Peterborough United in May because he wanted to move north to be closer to home.
He and his family live in Harrogate.
The centre-back had been with Rotherham for around a fortnight but a minor calf injury had prevented him training with the first-team group and he hadn't appeared in any friendlies.
He said: “I've had a few offers in the Football League. But, after sitting down and talking with Harrogate, there's an exciting couple of years in store here and the start of a good project.
“I've lived in this town for most of my life. This is my local club. It means a lot to me to be involved and to hopefully have a positive impact.”
Before the development, Rotherham head coach Alex Bruce hadn't ruled out Lees remaining with the Millers into the 2026/27 campaign and being allowed to return to fitness.
He said after the July 28 win at Darlington: “Tom's had a slight injury over the course of pre-season, so we're just monitoring that. "He's had a little nick in his calf.
"”It's nothing major, but we've not been able to see him working with the group yet. We'll make a decision on him after he's joined the group.”
Lees has made 695 appearances in a long career that has also included spells at Leeds United and Huddersfield Town.
The Harrogate link-up came about very quickly.
“I had a real connection as soon as I got talking about this this move,” he said. “I wanted to be surrounded by like-minded, good people, and that's been proved when I went into the club and had my first day in the building.”