The 24-year-old had played a crucial role for Gateshead last season, helping the club to secure a play-off place as well as being apart of their FA Trophy journey, which led to the club winning via penalties at Wembley Stadium last month.

A sum has apparently been agreed upon by League One team Exeter City to recruit Ed Francis, a midfielder from Gateshead, before the 2024–2025 season.

Last season, the 24-year-old was a key member of Gateshead’s team that helped them qualify for the play-offs and win the FA Trophy, which they did last month at Wembley Stadium thanks to penalties.

But as he approaches a transfer to League One team Exeter City, currently coached by Gary Caldwell, his time at the National League team appears to be coming to an end.

Since joining the National League team from Notts County last summer and their subsequent promotion to the EFL, the midfield player has been a mainstay.

Francis played in 40 league games for Gateshead the previous season, but an injury kept him from making an appearance at Wembley Stadium.

Considering his detailed stats, Francis averaged 9.2 ball recoveries, 4.2 interceptions, and an 89% throwing success rate per ninety minutes during the National League season.

Is Francis a suitable fit for Exeter?
Francis played for a very successful Gateshead football team, led by Rob Elliott, who averaged the greatest ball possession percentage in the division (62%), along with 500 accurate passes each game.

Gary Caldwell will be very pleased with his ball-handling skills as he attempts to assemble an Exeter City team that can play effectively in League One next year.

Journalist Pete O’Rourke claims that the two teams have now agreed on an undisclosed amount for the midfield player. A physical examination and personal conditions agreement will probably come before the transfer to the football club is officially confirmed.

DerbyshireLive provides up-to-date Derby County news. A Rams striker says goodbye to Gateshead, his loan club, before returning to Pride Park.

After a great loan stint, Dajaune Brown, the academy product of Derby County, bid Gateshead farewell in style.

The forward ended his four-month stint at Rob Elliot’s side by inspiring them to an FA Trophy victory over Solihull Moors at Wembley.

Brown made Heed history by scoring, dishing up an assist, and winning the penalty kick in the penalty shootout that followed extra time.

The adolescent will now return to Pride Park this summer, where he hopes to make an impression during preseason. It is still possible that he will go on loan to a team higher up the league ladder.

Brown stated: “I want to express my gratitude to all those who helped make this opportunity possible. Thank you to Rob, the coaching staff, and my teammates for being such great mentors who have helped me develop as a player.

“And to the supporters, thank you so much for your wonderful support at home and abroad. Even though I’m starting a new chapter in my football career, the experiences and lessons I’ve gained here will last a lifetime. Best wishes for the future.

DerbyshireLive’s most recent Derby County news provides you with information about the forward following his stellar loan stint at Gateshead.

Dajaune Brown, who just wrapped up an incredible National League loan with Gateshead, will be looking to make an impression at Derby County come preseason play.

The academy attacker finished the season with an FA Trophy victory on a historic day at Wembley, having scored 10 goals in 20 appearances in the northeast.

Brown led the Heed to victory over Solihull Moors in a shootout by scoring, dishing out a pass, and hitting the game-winning penalty. That was a great way to cap off an incredible loan for the young striker, who is drawing interest from several League Two teams.

Before deciding whether to send the striker out on loan or promote him to the first team squad, head coach Paul Warne will evaluate the player once again in the summer. Rob Elliot, the manager of Gateshead, stated to Derbyshire Live yesterday that if the team had been promoted to the Football League, he would have made another attempt to recruit the striker.

Everyone is watching to see what happens next, and Derby supporters have spoken their opinions in abundance.

Beaufort1: “There are a hundred talented young players that end up playing in the lesser levels or non-league football, and some go unnoticed, for every Bellingham or Rooney. It’s critical that the young man remains grounded, puts in a lot of effort, and his carers give his growth serious consideration. It may be detrimental to him to be thrown into a Championship team before he is ready, so I’m glad the management makes the decision that’s best for him based on their daily observations.”

Barker41: “Preseason play should offer him a chance to do well. Warming the bench game after game and making the odd ten-minute cameo won’t help him develop, in my opinion. If PW isn’t ready by the start of the season, I hope he takes the risk rather than the safe route. However, a half-season loan to a team where he will receive enough of playing time (ideally in League 1) would set him up for success in the Championship starting in January. A close location such as Burton or Mansfield would be perfect to allow Derby’s supporters to occasionally check on his progress.”

NorthamptonRam: “I’d put him in L2/L1 if we could guarantee him a game.” He must wait to be developed by the Academy and be a first team substitute because we are unable to do so.”

Sir Mix Bits: “He ought to be in the team if he’s talented enough. Players like Bellingham, Saka, and Rooney all began their careers as athletes around the age of 17.

The Rams of Matlock say: “May be it’s worth having him on the bench integrating him in slowly and giving him 30 minutes per game to see what he can do at Championship level.”